Fifth man arrested on suspicion of smuggling migrants to UK in boats
Four other men connected to an alleged smuggling group were charged with people-smuggling offences in February.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A fifth man has been arrested on suspicion of ferrying migrants to the UK from Belgium in boats.
The Albanian national was arrested by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers in Loughborough, Leicestershire, on Wednesday, the NCA said.
It followed a boat being seized by the NCA in Brightlingsea, Essex.
Derek Evans, senior investigating officer at the NCA, said: “The man arrested today is suspected of involvement in a plot to use small boats in a series of people-smuggling runs.
“Tackling organised immigration crime is a priority for the NCA and our investigation continues.”
The 44-year-old, from Leicester, is the fifth man to be arrested in connection with a gang which the NCA claims organised a series of people-smuggling runs to the UK from Europe last year.
Four men, believed to be part of the same operation, are set to appear in court later this month charged with assisting unlawful immigration.
Albanians Arsen Feci, 44 and Klodian Shenaj, 48, of Nottingham, and Banet Tershana, 51, of Hove, East Sussex, will appear at Nottingham Crown Court with 46-year-old Irishman Desmond Rice, of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, on March 29.