Two Arrested in Croydon Over Vietnamese Migrant Smuggling Ring
A major crackdown on migrant smuggling saw two men nabbed in Croydon yesterday (8 October) during a National Crime Agency (NCA) operation.
The suspects, a 30-year-old Vietnamese national and a 50-year-old Brit, were stopped in a car on Grange Road. Both were held on suspicion of aiding illegal immigration.
One Held, One Released as Investigation Continues
The 50-year-old British man has since been released under investigation. But the younger Vietnamese man remains in custody and is believed to be a key player in the criminal network.
Police say the organised crime group smuggles Vietnamese migrants into the UK using lorries and other vehicles. Two other Vietnamese men found in the same car were also detained for suspected illegal stay and now face immigration authorities.
NCA’s Project Invigor Cracks Down on People Smugglers
The probe, led by the NCA’s Project Invigor taskforce, targets organised immigration crime. The team includes Immigration Enforcement, Border Force, the CPS, and the Home Office.
“These arrests mark a significant moment in our long fight against illegal migrant transportation,” said Andrea Wilson, NCA Regional Head of Investigations.
“These ruthless criminals treat migrants as commodities, risking lives in dangerous journeys across the Channel in lorries or small boats. We’re committed to dismantling their networks.”
“Our investigation is ongoing.”
This latest swoop highlights the relentless efforts to dismantle people smuggling rings exploiting vulnerable migrants for profit.
