Small boats crossing arrest made in Fishwick as National Crime Agency raid property

A 38-year-old man has been arrested during an immigration raid on Sunday morning in Fishwick.

National Crime Agency officers say the man, arrested in the Stefano Road area, off New Hall Lane, was detained on suspicion of running an organised crime network facilitating cross-Channel small boat crossings.

Phones and documents were seized from the property where the man - who claimed to be an Iraqi national - was arrested.

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The NCA say the man arrested is suspected of offering people smuggling services on social media allowing people to travel illegally from Turkey to the UK.

NCA Senior Investigating Officer Al Mullen said: "Today's arrest marks a significant point in an international investigation into organised immigration crime.

"Tackling this threat is a priority for the NCA, we have seen only in recent weeks how dangerous these crossings are.

"We are determined to do all we can, working with partners in the UK, Europe and beyond, to target, disrupt and dismantle the criminals organising them."

Watch the moment the NCA raided the property or see it on our YouTube channel

The arrest relates to two small boat crossings made from Fran to the UK in November and December last year which the NCA is investigating.

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