Dorset Police news site

A joint operation between the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) and Belgian law enforcement has seen three people arrested as part of an investigation into people smuggling from Belgium to the UK.

At around 2pm yesterday (5 November), two men were arrested by officers from SWROCU, supported by Dorset Police, on suspicion of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration into the UK.

The 33-year-old from Southampton and a 55-year-old from Bournemouth were arrested near Southbourne Grove in Bournemouth and are currently in Poole custody.

The Southampton suspect was further arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs after suspected cocaine and amphetamine were seized from his home.

At the same time, a man in Belgium was arrested and five men believed to be intending to travel by lorry to the UK were stopped.

Det Supt Kevin Till, Head of SWROCU, said: “Criminals involved in organised immigration crime see migrants as nothing more than money making commodities. The high price tags they charge to facilitate their illegal journeys help to strengthen their criminal networks, causing yet more harm to our communities, often through drug supply and exploiting vulnerable people.

“Yesterday’s operation resulted in three arrests and five people who were preparing to travel here illegally being stopped.

“The more information we have to help identify suspects and potential victims, the more we can target the networks behind it.”

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Yesterday’s operation was supported by the National Crime Agency’s international network and Dorset Police.