ARRESTS IN SWOOP ON TRAFFICKER SUSPECTS
A MAN and a woman have been arrested as part of an investigation into a suspected peoplesmuggling gang in Northern Ireland operating between both that jurisdiction and the Republic.
The 40-year-old woman and 26-year-old man, described as naturalized British citizens, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration of non-UK nationals.
The woman was also arrested on suspicion of possession of criminal property. Officers were last night quizzing the pair in Musgrave Police Station.
The arrests came in an operation in Belfast yesterday in which two properties — one in the Annadale area of South Belfast and one in the
Ravenhill area of East Belfast — were searched.
Around 50 officers, of both the Home Office and PSNI, swooped on the addresses in the early morning raids.
It comes after a probe by the Home Office’s Criminal and Financial Investigations team.
Two people have previously been arrested in connection with the investigation.
The British and Irish governments are working together through the Cross Border Joint Agency Taskforce to disrupt organised crime groups and tackle organised immigration crime, modern slavery and human trafficking.
In a statement yesterday, the Home Office confirmed that two people had been detained.
Abuse
They said that “around 50 officers from the Government’s Immigration Enforcement team and the PSNI carried out warrants at two properties in Belfast, Northern Ireland”.
A spokesman added: “A 40-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, naturalised British Citizens, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration of non-UK nationals.
“Today’s activity is an example of the work to crack down on the abuse of the Common Travel Area between the UK and Ireland.”