PICTURED: Cramped lorry spaces that Albanian migrants are forced to hide in when they’re illegally smuggled into Britain by people-traffickers – as gang is broken up and seven are jailed
- The restrictive areas of the vehicle were where the migrants had to hide in
- Images of the places were revealed after seven were jailed over the plot
The cramped lorry spaces Albanian migrants are forced to hide in when they are illegally smuggled into Britain by people-traffickers have been revealed, as a gang of seven men are jailed.
The crime group were illegally trafficking Albanian men into the UK, exploiting individuals seeking better economic opportunities.
Photos show the small cab area of the lorries that smugglers hid people in as they attempted to travel across the border.
Dimitraki Nika, 35, Arlin Leka, 29, and Doru-Emil Moldovan, 32, all admitted their part in the conspiracy.
Kristian Agolli, 35, Aldis Cseplye, 33, Sorin Holerca, 40, and Jozef Szekely, 33, were found guilty after a court case last month and got a combined jail term of over 24 years.
Photos show the small cab area of the lorries that smugglers hid people in as they attempted to travel across the border
The crime group were illegally trafficking Albanian men into the UK, exploiting individuals seeking better economic opportunities
The group of men and their lorry were discovered after detectives closed down two cannabis factories in Brent, London
The lorries then stopped at service stations on the motorway before being met by a member of the gang
The group of men were discovered after detectives closed down two cannabis factories in Brent, London.
Intelligence found during the drugs investigation led officers to carry out further investigations in Southgate Enfield, a motorway service in South East England and Wellingborough in Lincolnshire.
They found the organised crime group had been using Romanian registered goods vehicles to enter the UK by taking the unusual route from Dunkirk to Dover, with Albanian men hiding in the cab area.
Dimitraki Nika, 35, and Arlin Leka, 29, (left to right) were all part of the people smuggling plot
Jozef Szekely, 33, and Sorin Holerca, 40, were both sent to prison for their part in conspiracy
The lorries then stopped at service stations on the motorway before being met by a member of the gang who would meet the smuggled men.
Sometimes the goods driver was given a small package before returning to the vehicle and continuing their journey. The illegal migrants would then be dropped off usually in the Southgate area, before other Albanians being passed on.
Chris Foster, Deputy Director from the Home Office’s Criminal and Financial Investigation unit, said: ‘This organised crime group is now behind bars thanks to the work between the Home Office and Metropolitan Police.
‘We will continue to work closely with our policing partners to disrupt people-smuggling gangs and ensure those who abuse our laws face the consequences of their crimes.’
