UK homes raided, 6 arrested in major people smuggling ring bust linked to international operations.
The NCA said all the men are Afghan. They were caught during coordinated action. This sting happened in Belgium and Italy too. Ten more people were arrested overseas.
Belgian prosecutors spoke about the arrested men. Reportedly, they moved migrants. The route went from Afghanistan through several countries. It ended in Western Europe, like France. Since 2022, this network has been running.
They used social media to talk to migrants. Rejected asylum seekers in Belgium got moved to the UK. Small boats were reportedly used to transport them. Belgian authorities accuse these six of smuggling. They also allege involvement in a criminal group.
Three went to court yesterday. Extradition is starting for them. The other three go to court today. Craig Turner is an NCA Deputy Director. He said these men belonged to a harmful network. They moved migrants worldwide, even to the UK.
He added their work disrupts these criminal gangs. The NCA collaborates with international partners. They want to bring suspects to justice in court. Organized immigration crime is a constant threat. The NCA currently has 70 active investigations. These investigations focus on the gangs involved.