Three arrests in Bolivian crime group people smuggling operation

Two men and a woman suspected to be involved in a people smuggling operation between Bolivia and the UK have been arrested.

Warrants were executed across South London addresses yesterday morning.

A 41-year-old man was arrested at an address in Camberwell and another man, 38, and a woman, aged 35, were arrested at an address in Peckham.

All three were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration following an investigation by Home Office officials from the Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI) team.

Another man and woman were found in the Peckham property and identified as illegal migrants from Bolivia.

They will be processed and dealt with by Immigration Compliance and Enforcement.

Around £1,500 in cash and two false identity documents were also discovered at the same address. Money seized will be processed using proceeds of crime legislation, while searches of both properties continue.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said: “The public should be in no doubt of our determination to clamp down on those who violate our laws by exploiting people for their own financial gains.

“These individuals thought they were beyond the reach of the law – they were proved wrong.

“Today’s operation sends a clear message to people smugglers and those thinking about abusing our immigration laws: you will be caught and brought to justice swiftly.”

The individuals are believed to have been abusing the Common Travel Area between Dublin and Belfast, charging migrants thousands of pounds to be flown from Bolivia to the UK via the Republic of Ireland.

Once smuggled into the country by the Bolivian crime gang, the Home Office believes most of the migrants begin working here illegally.

All suspects were taken into custody in South London, and will be flown to Belfast for questioning by CFI Northern Ireland.

Pictured top: One of the people arrested (Picture: Home Office)