NCA strike against suspected people smugglers

6 Feb 2018 11:53 AM

The National Crime Agency (NCA) is carrying out a major operation targeting a suspected people smuggling organised criminal network in the North East, London and the South Coast.

The operation is the latest phase of a year-long investigation, which has involved law enforcement colleagues in the UK and in Europe.

More than twenty properties have been raided by NCA officers supported by Cleveland, Northumbria, Sussex and Metropolitan Police colleagues, and a number of arrests have been made.

The operation is ongoing with searches taking place at several locations including Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Stockton, Newcastle, Hastings and London. A full update will follow later.