Almost 50 Arrests Made in Major People Smuggling Operation at Irish Border

Immigration Enforcement has delivered a significant setback to organised criminal networks engaged in the illicit smuggling of individuals from Ireland to the United Kingdom, culminating in 49 arrests over a three-day period of focused operations at UK ports.

From Tuesday, 22 September, to Thursday, 24 September, law enforcement agencies executed patrols across various seaports, airports, and transport networks throughout Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. This initiative aimed to intercept those attempting to bypass UK immigration regulations.

Impact of Operation Comby on Organised Crime

Operation Comby, a collaborative effort designed to tackle individuals who have unlawfully crossed from Ireland into the UK, has resulted in the apprehension of over 250 organised criminals and immigration violators since the recent election, with 113 individuals subsequently deported. The operation has also led to the confiscation of nearly half a million pounds in cash.

The primary objective of this operation is to eliminate the exploitation of the Common Travel Area (CTA), a longstanding agreement that permits British and Irish citizens to travel freely between the two nations.

This endeavour complements Immigration Enforcement’s Operation Gull, which regularly deploys resources across Northern Irish ports and airports to combat ongoing misuse of the CTA. Over the past year, this operation has contributed to nearly 1,000 arrests.

Government’s Commitment to Border Security

Anna Turley, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, remarked, “We are resolutely targeting these organised criminal gangs that operate on reprehensible lies and deceit. Individuals who believe they can circumvent our laws will swiftly discover that their efforts will be in vain. This operation exemplifies the relentless work of Immigration Enforcement to dismantle these criminal organisations and remove those lacking the right to remain in the UK.”

During operations at Belfast International Airport, two Romanian women were arrested for entering the UK illegally after travelling from Ireland to Northern Ireland without the necessary permissions. Subsequent investigations revealed they may have been victims of human trafficking, leading to the acquisition of intelligence regarding those who facilitated their journey. One woman was detained for removal back to Romania, while the other opted for voluntary return to Ireland.

Seizures and Arrests at Belfast Port

In a related incident, Belfast Harbour Police acted on shared intelligence and intercepted a vehicle at Belfast Port carrying four Romanian nationals. Searches of the vehicle uncovered counterfeit Apple products valued at £130,000, resulting in the arrest of all four individuals, who now face removal proceedings from the UK.

Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime, stated, “As part of our broader initiative to tackle the misuse of the Common Travel Area, Operation Comby employs an intelligence-led strategy to disrupt organised immigration crime, specifically targeting criminal networks that exploit these routes. Immigration crime manifests in numerous forms, but central to our mission is the protection of vulnerable individuals and the dismantling of the criminal gangs that exploit them.”

Future Plans for Immigration Enforcement

Between July 2024 and June 2026, Immigration Enforcement conducted nearly 3,000 enforcement visits in Northern Ireland, resulting in over 2,400 arrests. Of these, approximately 1,000 individuals were subsequently deported, with around 500 returned to Ireland.

Furthermore, the Home Secretary has announced plans to double the Immigration Enforcement budget by 2028/29 and increase workforce numbers by 60%. This initiative is anticipated to lead to tens of thousands more operations, arrests, and removals of those without the right to reside in the UK.

The government has already initiated efforts to restore control and order at the borders. Since the election, over 80,000 immigration offenders and foreign criminals have been removed from the UK.