Skip to content
Quick exit
  • Cymraeg
  • Reporting SARs
Leading the UK's fight to cut serious and organised crime
  • Who we are
    • Our mission
    • Our people
    • Our leadership
    • Governance and transparency
    • Inclusion, diversity and equality
    • Publications
  • What we do
    • What we investigate
    • Border vulnerabilities
    • Bribery, corruption and sanctions evasion
    • Cyber crime
    • Child sexual abuse and exploitation
    • Drug trafficking
    • Illegal firearms
    • Fraud
    • Kidnap and extortion
    • Modern slavery and human trafficking
    • Money laundering and illicit finance
    • Organised immigration crime
    • Operation Stovewood: Rotherham child sexual abuse investigation
    • How we work
    • Intelligence: enhancing the picture of serious organised crime affecting the UK
    • Investigating and disrupting the highest risk serious and organised criminals
    • Providing specialist capabilities for law enforcement
    • Supporting victims and survivors
  • News
    • All news
  • Careers
    • How to join the NCA
    • Applying and onboarding
    • Current vacancies
    • A day in the life
    • Benefits and support
  • Most Wanted
  • Contact us
    • Verify an NCA Officer
    • Complaints
  • Home >
  • News >
  • NCA targets suspected small boat people smuggling networks in ongoing international operation

Share this page:

Share this page:

News

NCA targets suspected small boat people smuggling networks in ongoing international operation

  • Organised immigration crime
  • people smuggling

National Crime Agency officers have today joined what is believed to be the biggest ever international operation targeting criminal networks suspected of using small boats to smuggle thousands of people into the UK.


Early this morning (Tuesday 5 July) NCA officers moved in and made six arrests in the Docklands and Catford areas of London.

At an address in Rushey Green, Catford, a 26-year-old man was detained on suspicion of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration.

Two other men were arrested for immigration offences and will now be dealt with by the immigration authorities.

At an address in St Davids Square, Isle of Dogs, a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration.

A 20-year-old woman and 18-year-old man were also arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply, after a quantity of what is suspected to be cocaine was recovered.

Dozens of raids are also taking place in Germany, France and the Netherlands, where the activity is ongoing.

The investigation has seen the NCA work with partners in Belgium, Germany, France and the Netherlands, as well as Europol and Eurojust.

Those arrested in the UK remain in custody and are being questioned by NCA investigators.

More details about the operation across Europe will be announced in due course.

5 July 2022

Latest from twitter

Share this page:

TOP ˄
0370 496 7622
NCA general enquiries or to verify an NCA officer, available 24/7
Click CEOP logo: Advice, Help, Report
  • Who we are

  • Our mission
  • What we do

  • How we investigate
  • How we work
  • News

  • Most wanted

  • Careers

  • A day in the life
  • Current vacancies
  • Contact us

  • Operation Stovewood
  • Suspicious activity reports
  • Verify an NCA officer
  • Complaints

Follow us

  • Sitemap
  • Privacy and Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Publications
  • Accessibility statement
© Crown Copyright
© Crown Copyright