Suspected people smuggler arrested in Coventry
National Crime Agency detain an Eritrean man who's wanted in Belgium
A man from Eritrea - wanted in Belgium for suspected involvement in people smuggling - has been detained in Coventry this morning.
The National Crime Agency say the 25 year old was apprehended earlier and the man will appear at Westminster Magistrates later when proceedings to extradite him to Belgium will begin.
Officials there allege he's been involved in smuggling people to the UK at a price of €2,500 (£2,150) by sea and €1,500 (£1,300) by car.
They've also linked him with five occasions where Ethiopian and Eritrean migrants have been intercepted at Zeebrugge heading for the UK between October 2021 and May last year.
If convicted in Belgium, he could face up to 20 years’ in prison.
NCA Regional Head of Investigations Jacque Beer said, "This action is another example of our collaboration with international partners to trace and detain alleged people smugglers and put them before the courts.
"The threat posed by organised immigration crime is chronic and enduring. Tackling the gangs organising Channel crossings and dismantling their operations is a top priority for the NCA".
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said, "I’d like to thank the NCA’s investigators for their continued dedication to protect our borders by working hand in hand with international partners to take down the unscrupulous criminal gangs who attempt to flout our laws.
"The individual in this case is suspected of trading cash for lives by facilitating dangerous and illegal journeys to the UK. We won’t stand by and watch this continue, which is exactly why we have invested £250m in the Border Security Command, driving an uplift of 400 NCA officers dedicated to taking down people smugglers."