Six Afghan nationals have been arrested across the UK in connection with a major people smuggling operation, following a joint investigation by the National Crime Agency and Belgian police.
The suspects were apprehended yesterday at addresses in Leicester, Birmingham, Essex and south London, as authorities in Belgium and Italy detained a further 10 people in coordinated raids.
Belgian prosecutors allege the men were part of an organised crime group moving migrants from Afghanistan through Europe and into the UK using small boats.
The criminal network, operating since 2022, allegedly used social media platforms to communicate with migrants from Afghanistan.
The suspects were apprehended yesterday at addresses in Leicester, Birmingham, Essex and south London
NCA
The group moved people through Iran, Turkey and the Balkans, crossing the Serbian-Hungarian border into western Europe, primarily France and Belgium.
Migrants whose asylum claims were rejected in Belgium were then transported to the UK via small boats, with investigators believing significant numbers were moved in this way.
The NCA’s International Network has supported Belgian authorities for approximately two years, providing intelligence and evidence about suspected network members.
Three of the suspects appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday, where extradition proceedings began.
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The remaining three are due to appear at the same court today.
The men face charges from Belgian authorities of people smuggling offences and membership of a criminal organisation.
The arrests were made possible through warrants issued by Belgian courts, as part of an international operation targeting the smuggling network.
NCA Deputy Director Craig Turner highlighted the severity of the operation, stating: “These men were allegedly part of a dangerous and harmful criminal network which moved migrants across the world, through Europe and eventually into northern Europe and the UK.”
“The action we’ve taken shows that our work to disrupt and dismantle the gangs behind this criminality will not stop, and we will work with our international partners to help bring alleged perpetrators before the courts,” he added.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, welcomed the arrests, saying: “These arrests demonstrate the enduring commitment of teams working at home and abroad to tackling organised criminal gangs and ensuring that those accused of involvement face prosecution.”
She emphasised the government’s stance: “This government is clear that we will not hesitate to go after those who seek to undermine our border security and we will continue to work even closer with international partners.”
The operation involved coordinated action across multiple countries, with additional arrests made in Belgium and Italy.
The operation involved coordinated action across multiple countries, with additional arrests made in Belgium and Italy
NCA
The NCA currently has 70 live investigations into organised immigration crime gangs.
In December 2024, three men were arrested in the UK by NCA and Metropolitan Police officers as part of an unrelated investigation.
NCA officers are working alongside Border Force and Immigration Enforcement to identify migrants and victims transported to the UK by the network.
Safeguarding checks are being conducted for those affected by the criminal operation.
A court in Antwerp has previously sentenced 20 members of a related smuggling gang to a combined total of 170 years in prison.
Individual sentences ranged from two to 18 years imprisonment.
Eleven of these gang members were tried in their absence, including three who were later arrested in the UK.
These three individuals are now awaiting extradition to Belgium, where they will serve their prison sentences.