Four individuals, including three Albanian men and a woman from Moldova, have been arrested during dawn raids targeting a suspected people smuggling gang in Kent.

These suspects are believed to have been involved in picking up illegal migrants from HGV stops in Kent and transporting them to London.

The arrests occurred on June 25, 2025, in various locations, including a 31-year-old man in Edmonton, a 29-year-old in Enfield, a 30-year-old near Gatwick Airport, and the woman in Leyton.

As part of the operation, NCA officials, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police and Home Office, searched five cafes in Walthamstow, Chingford, and Dagenham, suspected to be linked to the smuggling operation.

NCA Branch Commander Adam Berry emphasized the agency's commitment to tackling organized immigration crime and highlighted the importance of targeting the networks behind illegal crossings due to the associated risks to lives and border security.

The NCA is currently managing around 80 investigations into illegal migration gangs, reflecting ongoing efforts to combat this issue.

In 2024, over 8,000 social media accounts associated with people smugglers were removed, showcasing the NCA's proactive approach to this growing problem.

In a separate operation, two additional individuals were arrested for immigration offences in Edmonton, further highlighting the NCA's crackdown on illegal migration.