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Lorry driver released by police after 'migrants' found on M6

A lorry driver arrested after suspected migrants were found on the M6 this week has been released by police.

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Emergency services rushed to the scene after chaos on the M6. Photo: BBC

Traffic between junctions 15 and 16 of the motorway near Cannock came to a standstill on Wednesday evening when police pulled over a lorry.

The motorway was then closed both ways for around four hours after 27 suspected migrants, including four children, ran from the vehicle, with some crossing from the northbound carriageway over to the southbound side.

Commuters were stuck in traffic for hours. Photo: BBC

The driver of the lorry was arrested at the scene and all 27 people were detained by police.

Staffordshire Police have now confirmed that the incident is in the hands of Immigration Enforcement and the Home Office.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Following an incident on the M6 on Wednesday January 9, a 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration.

"The man has since been released while investigations continue."

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