Pilot Busted Flying Illegal Immigrants Into UK
Richard Styles, a 52-year-old pilot with no fixed address, was caught red-handed during a National Crime Agency (NCA) operation on 24 March at Deenethorpe Airfield near Corby, Northamptonshire.
Styles had just flown his twin-engine plane from Belgium to the airfield when officers swooped in. Northants Police, working alongside the NCA, intercepted a taxi leaving the airfield on Phoenix Parkway, Corby. The taxi driver and four Albanian nationals were arrested on the spot.
Taxi Driver and Immigrants Arrested
- The taxi driver, a 42-year-old man from Tooting, South London, was detained and later released on bail pending further investigation.
- The four Albanians—three men and one woman, aged 21 to 64—remain held under immigration powers.
The Border Force and Immigration Enforcement played a crucial role in supporting the raid.
Charges Laid Over Immigration Smuggling
Styles has been charged with facilitating a breach of immigration law and is set to appear before Northampton Magistrates on 26 March.
“People smugglers use a range of methods to try and breach UK border controls and we remain alive to the threats,” said Jacque Beer, NCA Regional Head of Investigations.
“Working with our law enforcement partners, we are determined to stop them. We urge anyone in the aviation industry or local community to report any suspicious activity at UK airfields immediately.”
Spot Something Suspicious? Speak Up!
If you notice unusual behaviour around any UK airfield or airport, don’t stay silent. Call 0300 123 7000 and quote ‘PEGASUS’ or report it online at www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime.
