A TURKISH man alleged to have run a “meet and greet” service for boat migrants has been arrested in an early morning raid.
The Sun joined Home Office immigration enforcement as they tracked the suspected people smuggler down to a family house in Tottenham, North London.
Ray CollinsA Turkish man alleged to have run a ‘meet and greet’ service for boat migrants has been arrested[/caption]
GettyBorder Force officers found his contact details on phones seized from small boat migrants brought in to Dover[/caption]
We watched as officers stormed the home at 6.25am and nicked the 34-year-old, who was wearing a Hugo Boss t-shirt and North Face tracksuit.
He was brought out handcuffed and led to a police van by two cops.
Others searched his black Mercedes parked over the road in the quiet street.
The Home Office acted after Border Force officers found his contact details on phones seized from small boat migrants brought in to Dover.
Law enforcement suspect he is part of a “meet and greet” operation for arrivals and could have been housing some of those trying to enter the UK illegally.
So far this year, more than 23,000 have crossed the Channel on overcrowded dinghies — a record for this point of the year.
Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigations regional lead for London and South, Chris Foster, told The Sun outside the targeted address: “We think this man is involved in organising some of the small boat crossings from France over to England.
“These people are just taking advantage of the vulnerable.
“They’re being sold a dream and actually that’s not the reality.
“We’re going to bear down on those involved in this vile trade.
“It’s not just about people coming here illegally, it also feeds things like illegal working.
“People involved in this often have got links to other organised crime, drug dealing, things like that.”
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