Four suspected of people smuggling from Belgium to UK arrested by the NCA

Four people have been arrested as part of a National Crime Agency investigation into a group alleged to have smuggled migrants to the UK in boats from Belgium.

Two Albanian nationals, aged 44 and 48, in Nottingham and a 46-year-old Irish man in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, were arrested by NCA officers this morning (Tuesday 28 February).

Investigators allege they have been involved in acquiring a rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) and using it to travel to Belgium to collect migrants, landing at Margate in Kent.

A 51-year-old man from Albania was also arrested in Hove this morning for his suspected role in assisting unlawful immigration.

The men are all alleged to be part of a gang organising a series of people smuggling runs to the UK from Europe, including a number of crossing events last year.

Today’s operation is linked to two arrests in Belgium on Sunday 30 October 2022, where a man from Basingstoke and a man from Leicester were arrested on suspicion of people smuggling offences as they arrived on the coast near Nieuwpoort at 4.30am.

Twelve migrants, including a child, all believed to be Albanian nationals, were also taken into custody by the Belgian authorities.

NCA Branch Commander Colin Williams said:

“These arrests follow an extensive investigation into individuals who we  believe were involved in a number of migrant crossings from Belgium to the Kent coast in 2022.

“Tackling people smuggling continues to be a priority for the NCA as we target and disrupt organised crime groups at every step of the route.”

28 February 2023

UPDATE

Four men have been charged with people smuggling offences following an NCA investigation into a crime group alleged to have smuggled migrants from Belgium to the UK in boats.

Arsen Feci, 44, and Klodian Shenaj, 48, of Broxtowe Street, Nottingham, Banet Tershana, 51, of Harmsworth Crescent, Hove and Desmond Rice, 46, of Meadowcroft, Aylesbury appeared before magistrates in Nottingham today.

All were remanded in custody and until their next appearance at Nottingham Crown Court on 29 March 2023.

The arrests were made as part of an NCA investigation into a group suspecting of organising a series of people smuggling runs to the UK from Europe, including a number of crossing events last year.