Three men convicted of smuggling people across English Channel in yacht
They were smuggled into the UK via the Isle of Wight
Three Isle of Wight men have been convicted of smuggling people across the English Channel in a yacht.
Stephen Redhead, 47, of Newport, and Christopher Barber, 55, of Shanklin, were found guilty following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.
Jean Pierre Labelle, 45, of Ryde, pleaded guilty to the same offence last month.
A spokesman for the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) said: "On 17 March 2020 Labelle travelled to Cherbourg, France, on board a 70ft ketch yacht named 'Anore' with Redhead and Barber.
"They returned to East Cowes Marina on 19 March 2020 with 10 additional people who are suspected to have been migrants entering the UK illegally.
"The migrants are believed to have been in the UK but have not been able to be traced due to the incident being retrospectively reported.
"Between 26 June and 27 June 2020, Labelle organised another journey using a small boat named 'Freedom'.
"On this occasion he was unsuccessful and the vessel used was intercepted after a joint operation with SEROCU, the National Crime Agency and French authorities.
"Six Albanian nationals were found to be on board along with two criminal associates who were subsequently prosecuted in France.
"Checks established that the Albanian nationals did not have the necessary pre-entry clearance needed to enter the United Kingdom."
Clair Trueman, from SEROCU, said: "We know the dangers that people face being smuggled across the English Channel and we know tragically, this and other methods can have lethal consequences.
"We continue our work to tackle the people smugglers who seek to exploit UK borders and treat migrants as a commodity to be profited from, with no regard for their safety."
NCA regional head of investigations Peter Stevens said: "People smugglers risk lives for the sole aim of profit, and these men were no different.
"This is why we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle the organised criminal gangs involved, along every step of the route.
"I'm delighted that through joint working with the NCA, SEROCU and the French authorities we have been able to put a stop to this criminal enterprise and secure these convictions."
The defendants are to be sentenced at Isle of Wight Crown Court on March 18.