A 34-year-old man suspected of helping smuggle hundreds of Albanian migrants into the UK illegally has been arrested in Beckenham.

Two women aged 27 and 29, along with a 22-year-old man, were also arrested in Oxford as part of an investigation into a people smuggling network, which police believe used lorries and hired vans to transport individuals from northern France.

Seven people were arrested as part of the same investigation in July 2021.

The group are alleged to have had contacts across Europe, in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland.

In some cases, migrants are believed to have paid the OCG between £20,000 and £25,000 to reach the UK.

The latest four suspects were detained last Wednesday (9 February) on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration.

After being questioned the three arrested in Oxford were released under investigation, while the man from Beckenham was bailed pending further enquiries.

National Crime Agency branch commander Richard Harrison said: “This is a second phase of arrests made as part of this investigation, which we believe will have significantly disrupted a major organised network involved in the smuggling of large numbers of the people to the UK illegally.

“It demonstrates our continued determination to do all we can to stop the criminal gangs who threaten the security of the UK border and treat migrants as a commodity to be profited from.”

Last year the charity Crimestoppers launched the campaign “Say no to people smuggling” calling on drivers to report suspicious activity anonymously on 0800 555111.

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