Six arrested for 'alleged' small boat people smuggling operation following raids including in Birmingham

Six people, including two from Birmingham, have been arrested in the UK over their suspected involvement in a major smuggling ring following a joint investigation by the National Crime Agency and Belgian police. 

The men - all Afghan nationals - were arrested on February 12 as part of a coordinated effort by the NCA and Belgian and Italian authorities.

The arrests took place at addresses across four UK regions, with the Birmingham raids resulting in the arrests of two men, aged 28 and 25.

Belgian prosecutors say the men arrested were allegedly involved in the smuggling of migrants from Afghanistan through Iran, Turkey and the Balkans, and then on into Western Europe via France and Belgium.

The group is reported to have been operating since 2022 and allegedly used social media to communicate with their migrants. 

The migrants would have had their asylum claims refused by Belgian authorities and would be moved into the UK using small boats.

Three of the six men appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on February 12, where extradition proceedings began, with the other three due to appear at the same court today. 

NCA Deputy Director, Craig Turner, said: "These men were allegedly part of a dangerous and harmful criminal network which moved migrants across the world, through Europe and eventually into northern Europe and the UK.

"The action we've taken shows that our work to disrupt and dismantle the gangs behind this criminality will not stop, and we will work with our international partners to help bring alleged perpetrators before the courts.

"The threat posed by organised immigration crime is chronic and enduring, and we currently have 70 live investigations into the gangs involved in it."

As part of the same coordinated operation, 10 more people were arrested from locations in Belgium and Italy.