Suspected people smugglers arrested in dawn raids
National Crime AgencyFive men have been arrested and charged as part of an ongoing investigation into migrant smuggling from the UK to France in lorries.
National Crime Agency (NCA) officers raided properties across London early on 20 November to arrest the suspects, aged 43 to 54, who are all thought to be Algerian and Egyptian nationals.
One of those arrested, a 52-year-old Algerian national, is suspected of being a high-ranking member of the people smuggling crime network.
The arrests were made after more than 200 North African migrants, including children, were discovered in lorry trailers travelling from the UK to France on separate occasions in 2023.
'Top-tier organised crime'
They all appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with conspiracy to facilitate the illegal entry of a person into an EU country, namely France.
Twenty people have been arrested as part of this investigation, including five men who have since been convicted and jailed for transporting migrants.
NCA branch commander Chris Hill said the arrests represented a "key moment" in their investigation into large-scale criminal networks.
He added: "People smugglers don't care about the safety or wellbeing of human beings they transport, whether it is in boats or HGVs.
"They're driven solely by profits.
"This is one of over 70 ongoing NCA operations into gangs or individuals operating at the top tier of organised immigration crime, which remains a priority for the NCA."
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