Leeds man arrested as part of international anti-people smuggling operation
The 43 year old is one of nine people detained in England by the National Crime Agency
Last updated 6th Nov 2024
A Leeds man has been arrested after part of INTERPOL's 'largest ever' operation targeting people smuggling and human trafficking.
The 43 year old is one of nine people detained in England by the National Crime Agency, after 27 people were intercepted in Tunisia attempting to travel to the UK.
The group are wanted for people smuggling, human trafficking or modern slavery offences in France, Germany, Belgium and Romania.
Extradition proceedings for all nine are currently ongoing.
Alongside the UK, a total of 116 countries and territories took part in the operation and 2,517 arrests were made worldwide.
NCA Deputy Director of International Rick Jones, said: "This INTERPOL operation is a prime example of our commitment to working closely and effectively with international partners to tackle people smuggling and human trafficking.
"We utilised a range of our specialist capabilities to gather and disseminate intelligence to law enforcement agencies across the world, and to enable our officers to identify, locate and detain offenders wanted overseas.
"As a result, nine individuals wanted in connection to serious offences have been removed from our communities and extradition proceedings are ongoing to ensure they face justice."