Romanian Lorry Driver Jailed for Smuggling Migrants Near Dover
Marius Halmaghe Busted with Migrants in Truck Near Port
Romanian lorry driver Marius Halmaghe, 35, was caught red-handed by the National Crime Agency (NCA) near Dover port on 1 October. Officers stopped his truck and found four adult migrants hidden in the trailer – two Bangladeshis, one Indian, and one Egyptian. The lorry was scheduled to board a ferry to Calais that very day.
31 Months Behind Bars for People Smuggling
Halmaghe pled guilty to attempting to facilitate illegal immigration. A judge at Canterbury Crown Court sentenced him to 31 months in prison on 6 November. NCA boss Chris Hill condemned the operation, saying:
“Halmaghe was involved in a dangerous criminal enterprise which not just broke immigration laws, it also put those migrants at serious risk. It just goes to demonstrate how criminals involved in people smuggling do not care about the safety or wellbeing of those they transport, they just see them as a commodity. People smugglers are seeking to maximise their profits utilising both inbound and outbound lorry movements.”
Another Romanian Trucker and Girlfriend Arrested Same Day
The verdict came on the same day another Romanian trucker, Mihai Postolache, 24, and his girlfriend Roxana Stan, also 24, were arrested by the NCA near Dover. They were caught with five migrants hidden inside their trailer.
Both have been charged with facilitation offences and are due to appear before Medway Magistrates today (Monday 9 November).
