Driver Caught Smuggling 16 Migrants on M25
A 36-year-old lorry driver was arrested after police stopped his vehicle at the M25 junction with the A3 around 3.30pm on Sunday, March 21.
Sixteen migrants were discovered hidden in the trailer. They were sitting on pallets laid across the load to make room for them.
Migrants from Morocco, Algeria & Pakistan Held
All 16 migrants were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences. Nationals include people from Morocco, Algeria, and Pakistan. They will now face action from immigration authorities.
The M25 anti-clockwise exit slip road was briefly closed while officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and police dealt with the incident.
Driver Questioned Over Illegal Channel Crossing Plot
The driver is being questioned by NCA investigators. He is suspected of trying to move the migrants out of the UK illegally through Channel ports.
The operation involved teamwork between the NCA, Metropolitan Police, and Surrey Police.
Chris Hill, NCA Branch Operations Manager, said: “People smuggling networks move migrants both ways across borders, risking UK and European security and lives. Working closely with partners, we are determined to disrupt these networks. Today’s bust is proof of that.”
