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Woman arrested in Banbury on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration
20/10/2022
A National Crime Agency strike took place early on Wednesday morning
An Albanian woman who’s believed to be responsible for helping transport migrants to the UK in small boats was arrested in Banbury yesterday morning.
The 31 year-old was arrested at a property on Middleton Road on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration following a National Crime Agency investigation.
The strike was watched by the National Crime Agency’s Director General, Graeme Biggar and the Rt. Hon. Suella Braverman shortly before she resigned as Home Secretary.
Jacque Beer, NCA Regional Head of Investigations, said: “This is a proactive investigation in response to intelligence that Albanian organised crime groups were acting as brokers, seeking to facilitate the illegal migration of Albanian nationals using established transportation networks.
“People smugglers only care about money, they don’t care about migrants’ safety or security.
“Channel crossings are utterly perilous which is why disrupting and dismantling criminal networks is a priority for the NCA and our partners.
“This is an international problem, with people smugglers also targeting other countries.
“These criminal groups are transnational, making international law enforcement collaboration essential. We are targeting offenders who impact the UK at each stage of the journey – from source, in transit, to the destination.”
Rt. Hon. Suella Braverman, added: “Today’s operation sends a clear message that we are committed to bringing to justice the criminal gangs behind these deadly journeys across the Channel. The NCA is carrying out vital work with our international partners to tackle people smuggling networks who treat human lives as a commodity.
“We will use every tool at our disposal to go further and faster in disrupting their business model, deterring illegal migration and saving lives. We will leave no stone unturned to find new ways to curb this crisis and ensure those responsible feel the full force of the law.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam