Latest news with #NationalCrimeAgency
Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Ukrainians caught trying to bring in migrants on yacht
Ukrainian people smugglers have been caught attempting to bring migrants illegally into the UK by yacht. The yacht, carrying four Albanians and a Vietnamese national, was intercepted by a Border Force cutter off the Isle of Wight on Sunday afternoon. It is the latest attempt to smuggle migrants into the UK by yacht where, unlike with small boats, they can make a clandestine entry into the UK without their details being logged by Border Force and immigration officials. Its crew, two Ukrainian men aged 43 and 37, were arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration, said the National Crime Agency (NCA). The five passengers were detained under immigration laws. Julian Harriman, the senior investigating officer, said: 'This operation was part of an ongoing NCA investigation led jointly with French judicial authorities and Gendarmerie Nationale. 'Tackling people smuggling gangs remains a priority for both France and the United Kingdom.' The interception came as an Albanian people smuggler was jailed for seven years and 10 months for also using a hired yacht to try to bring 21 migrants across the Channel. Bleda Bega, 44, was captaining the yacht as it sailed towards the south west coast of England. It was intercepted by Border Force on Sunday April 13 where officers discovered the 21 passengers comprising 20 men and one woman, all Albanian nationals. Dame Angela Eagle, the border security minister, said: 'This sentence shows Border Force work to tackle attempts to enter the UK illegally by these criminal smuggling gangs. They have been using state of the art technology and surveillance capabilities. 'This government has put forward a serious, credible plan to restore order to our asylum system, including tougher legislation, increased returns and enhanced enforcement activity to target illegal working. 'Anyone who seeks to smuggle people into the country in this way faces arrest, prosecution and a jail sentence.' 'Low-risk' yachts A former soldier turned people smuggler said earlier this year that yachts were still being used because of the low risk of being caught at marinas that could be protected with no more security than a caravan site. The ex-soldier, who the BBC named as 'Nick', said he had chosen to speak out because he was 'angry' he had been jailed for a crime that was still very possible to commit. He claimed to know people who, in the past year, had used the same routes and methods as him. The smuggling routes – whether by yacht or ferry – were 'easy' and 'low-risk', he said. Border Force is responsible for securing the 11,000 miles of UK coastline, but the security of harbours and marinas rests with private operators, Charlie Eastaugh, the force's director of maritime, told the BBC. 'We patrol 24/7, we carry out proactive, as well as reactive, operations,' he said – citing the luxury yacht, hiding the 20 Albanians below deck, which was intercepted en route to Newquay in Cornwall last month.
News18
20 hours ago
- Business
- News18
Hasina Loyalists Sold UK Properties After Her Fall, Yunus Now Demands Probe: Report
Bangladesh is probing embezzlement tied to former regime families. The UK's NCA froze millions in assets, including those of Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and the Rahman family. Following the political change in Bangladesh, authorities have opened investigations into prominent business and political families linked to the former regime. The probes focus on allegations of embezzlement and money laundering, with claims that significant sums were invested in luxury UK properties. The National Crime Agency (NCA) in Britain has already acted against some high-profile individuals, according to a report by UK-based newspaper The Guardian, who first reported the development. London's property market is under increasing scrutiny from both UK and Bangladeshi investigators. The UK's National Crime Agency froze £90 million in assets connected to the Rahman family and over £170 million tied to former minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, the newspaper said in its report. Chowdhury allegedly amassed more than 300 UK properties during his tenure. These freezes are part of a broader crackdown on questionable foreign investments in London, with the NCA working closely with international partners. The report said that several individuals under investigation sought to liquidate, transfer or refinance their UK properties after the change in Bangladesh's political landscape. Transparency campaigners raised concerns that this could jeopardize recovery efforts. Bangladeshi authorities have requested their UK counterparts to tighten scrutiny and prevent the suspected movement of assets. Guardian said. They stressed that such actions would support due legal processes and help ensure any unlawfully acquired funds are repatriated. The powerful Sobhan family, behind the Bashundhara conglomerate, reportedly engaged in property transfers worth millions. One Knightsbridge townhouse changed hands twice in unclear transactions, prompting questions over financial dealings. Investigators in Dhaka are probing potential money laundering links, Bangladeshi news media outlets reported. The family has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to defend themselves. Properties associated with Saifuzzaman Chowdhury's relatives and business contacts have seen multiple recent transactions, including sales and refinancing moves. Chowdhury's brother, Anisuzzaman, sold a £10 million Regent's Park property, while further dealings are under review. Allegations have also emerged about his links with a London-based developer facing scrutiny. The NCA also froze assets tied to the Rahman family, which includes a £35 million apartment in Grosvenor Square, the report said. Members of the family are under investigation in Dhaka, and while the Rahmans reject allegations of misconduct, authorities are examining financial flows between Dhaka and London. The family has pledged to cooperate with any legal processes. Transparency International has questioned the role of UK law firms and advisers who facilitated property deals for individuals under investigation. Concerns include inadequate source-of-wealth checks and possible failures to report suspicious transactions. Calls have grown for stricter oversight to prevent illicit funds from vanishing through London's financial networks. The unrest in Bangladesh leading up to the regime change was marked by months of student-led protests, sparked by economic grievances and governance concerns. Clashes between protestors and security forces resulted in casualties, drawing global attention. While Sheikh Hasina's departure led to a new interim setup, political tensions remain high in Bangladesh. The anti-corruption drive is part of a broader reform agenda, but some critics see it as politically sensitive, motivated by revenge of the interim government and the rivals of the Hasina regime. view comments First Published: July 22, 2025, 17:39 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
ITV News
a day ago
- ITV News
Yacht carrying suspected illegal migrants intercepted off Isle of Wight coast
A yacht carrying suspected illegal migrants has been intercepted in the English Channel. The boat had travelled from northern France and was picked up off the coast of the Isle of Wight and escorted into Gosport Marina in Hampshire by a Border Force cutter on Sunday 20 July. It was part of an operation led by the National Crime Agency (NCA). The crew of the vessel, Ukrainian nationals aged 43 and 37, were arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration. Five passengers, four Albanian nationals and a Vietnamese national, were arrested for immigration offences. All seven are now being questioned by NCA investigators. NCA Senior Investigating Officer, Julian Harriman, said: "This operation was part of an ongoing NCA investigation led jointly with French judicial authorities and Gendarmerie Nationale, which has been supported by Border Force. "Those arrested remain in custody. "Tackling people smuggling gangs remains a priority for both France and the United Kingdom and we are determined to do all we can to target, disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks involved."
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Sanctions to be introduced to target people-smuggling gangs
The Foreign Secretary announced on Tuesday a raft of sanctions that will be introduced to target anyone involved in assisting illegal immigration to the UK. This ranges from those involved in supplying and financing small boats, fake passports, and 'middlemen' putting cash through the Hawala system, a legal money transfer system, which is also used in payments linked to Channel crossings. The first wave of sanctions comes into force on Wednesday, and will publicly name anyone sanctioned, so it will be illegal for UK businesses and banks to deal with them. The measure is expected to include more than 20 designations, and could include corrupt public officials and police officers in steps to tackle the multi-billion-dollar industry. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 'For too long, criminal gangs have been lining their corrupt pockets and preying on the hopes of vulnerable people with impunity as they drive irregular migration to the UK. We will not accept this status quo. 'That's why the UK has created the world's first sanctions regime targeted at gangs involved in people smuggling and driving irregular migration, as well as their enablers. 'From tomorrow, those involved will face having their assets frozen, being shut off from the UK financial system and banned from travelling to the UK.' It follows legislation being introduced under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to ramp up enforcement powers for police forces and partners to investigate and prosecute people smugglers. Fresh sanctions aim to target organised crime gangs wherever they are in the world and disrupt their flow of cash, including freezing bank accounts, property and other assets, to hinder their activities. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'It will allow us to target the assets and operations of people smugglers wherever they operate, cutting off their funding and dismantling their networks piece by piece. 'Through the Border Security Command and key partners like the National Crime Agency, we are strengthening our ties with other nations to tackle this global problem. 'Together, we are sending a clear message that there is no hiding place for those who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk for profit.'
Leader Live
a day ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Sanctions to be introduced to target people-smuggling gangs
The Foreign Secretary announced on Tuesday a raft of sanctions that will be introduced to target anyone involved in assisting illegal immigration to the UK. This ranges from those involved in supplying and financing small boats, fake passports, and 'middlemen' putting cash through the Hawala system, a legal money transfer system, which is also used in payments linked to Channel crossings. The first wave of sanctions comes into force on Wednesday, and will publicly name anyone sanctioned, so it will be illegal for UK businesses and banks to deal with them. The measure is expected to include more than 20 designations, and could include corrupt public officials and police officers in steps to tackle the multi-billion-dollar industry. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 'For too long, criminal gangs have been lining their corrupt pockets and preying on the hopes of vulnerable people with impunity as they drive irregular migration to the UK. We will not accept this status quo. 'That's why the UK has created the world's first sanctions regime targeted at gangs involved in people smuggling and driving irregular migration, as well as their enablers. 'From tomorrow, those involved will face having their assets frozen, being shut off from the UK financial system and banned from travelling to the UK.' It follows legislation being introduced under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to ramp up enforcement powers for police forces and partners to investigate and prosecute people smugglers. Fresh sanctions aim to target organised crime gangs wherever they are in the world and disrupt their flow of cash, including freezing bank accounts, property and other assets, to hinder their activities. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'It will allow us to target the assets and operations of people smugglers wherever they operate, cutting off their funding and dismantling their networks piece by piece. 'Through the Border Security Command and key partners like the National Crime Agency, we are strengthening our ties with other nations to tackle this global problem. 'Together, we are sending a clear message that there is no hiding place for those who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk for profit.'
