Man arrested in Ashford after people smuggling investigation

A man has been arrested in Kent as part of an ongoing National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation into migrant smuggling from the UK to France in lorries.

The Iraqi national, aged 42, was arrested at an address in Ashford on Thursday, said the NCA.

The arrest follows activity at an industrial estate in the town, where NCA officers said they saw migrants near two men and a number of HGVs.

NCA branch commander Sara-Jayne Moore said: “The same crime groups smuggling people out of the country are often engaged in bringing people in too, so operations like this allow us to target their UK activities.”

The man has been taken into custody where he will be questioned by officers, according to the NCA.

The NCA said he was also suspected of facilitating migrants coming to the UK.

The agency said the arrest was part of 96 ongoing investigations into gangs or individuals at the “top tier of organised immigration crime”.

“People smugglers don’t have any concern about the safety or wellbeing of human beings they transport, whether it is in boats or HGVs,” Ms Moore added.

“They’re driven solely by financial gain.”