A significant operation by the National Crime Agency has led to the arrest of an Iraqi national in Preston, suspected of facilitating illegal immigration into the UK through small boat crossings across the English Channel.
On May 6, 2024, a 38-year-old man, reported to be an Iraqi national, was arrested in Preston, Lancashire, for his alleged involvement in facilitating illegal immigration into the UK. This arrest is part of a broader operation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) targeting organized crime networks responsible for people smuggling, particularly through small boat crossings across the English Channel.
The NCA disclosed that the suspect was linked to at least two incidents of ferrying asylum seekers from France to the UK in November and December 2023. Investigations also suggested the man advertised smuggling services on social media platforms, promising to help migrants travel from Turkey to the UK. During the raid at the suspect’s property, authorities seized a phone along with various documents which are believed to be connected to the smuggling operations.
Senior Investigating Officer Al Mullen from the NCA highlighted the perilous nature of such Channel crossings and reiterated the agency’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling the criminal networks behind these activities. This arrest marks a significant step in ongoing international efforts to tackle the issue of illegal immigration facilitated by organized crime.
The incident comes in a context of increasing Channel crossings, with recent statistics from the Home Office indicating a record 711 people arrived in the UK on a single day earlier this week, and a provisional total of 8,278 arrivals in 2024. The UK government continues to express concerns over the numbers and the associated risks, emphasizing ongoing initiatives intended to deter illegal entries and ensure border security.
