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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Dawn raids tackle human-smuggling | Dawn raids tackle human-smuggling |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Thirteen people have been arrested during dawn raids by police targeting two people-smuggling rings. | Thirteen people have been arrested during dawn raids by police targeting two people-smuggling rings. |
| The raids in London and at an address in Worcestershire on Thursday morning targeted the illegal immigration of mainly Chinese nationals into the UK. | The raids in London and at an address in Worcestershire on Thursday morning targeted the illegal immigration of mainly Chinese nationals into the UK. |
| One of the gangs involved Turkish nationals also suspected of heroin smuggling and money laundering. | One of the gangs involved Turkish nationals also suspected of heroin smuggling and money laundering. |
| The other gang consisted of Chinese nationals and police said it was associated with the Turkish group. | The other gang consisted of Chinese nationals and police said it was associated with the Turkish group. |
| International arrests | International arrests |
| The operation, codenamed Greensea, was co-ordinated by the Metropolitan Police's Special Intelligence Section and began in 2006. | The operation, codenamed Greensea, was co-ordinated by the Metropolitan Police's Special Intelligence Section and began in 2006. |
| Both networks were believed to have associates in Belgium and France, who have been arrested in Brussels, Ghent, Paris and Dunkirk. | Both networks were believed to have associates in Belgium and France, who have been arrested in Brussels, Ghent, Paris and Dunkirk. |
| The raids in England took place in the London areas of Tottenham, Peckham, Leytonstone, Palmers Green, Enfield, Holloway and at a property in Kidderminster. | The raids in England took place in the London areas of Tottenham, Peckham, Leytonstone, Palmers Green, Enfield, Holloway and at a property in Kidderminster. |
| At the address in Peckham, south-east London, 23 Chinese nationals were found. | At the address in Peckham, south-east London, 23 Chinese nationals were found. |
| Anyone found to be in the UK illegally should know that we will take steps to deport them Border and Immigration Agency's Tony Smith | Anyone found to be in the UK illegally should know that we will take steps to deport them Border and Immigration Agency's Tony Smith |
| A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "In both the networks, those being smuggled into the UK were mainly Chinese nationals who are believed to have paid up to £21,000 each to be brought to the UK. | A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "In both the networks, those being smuggled into the UK were mainly Chinese nationals who are believed to have paid up to £21,000 each to be brought to the UK. |
| "They usually travel in extremely cramped conditions in lorries, boats and trains from China across Asia and Europe to the UK in a journey that could take up to 18 months." | "They usually travel in extremely cramped conditions in lorries, boats and trains from China across Asia and Europe to the UK in a journey that could take up to 18 months." |
| Once the illegal immigrants had been smuggled into the UK they would often disappear into "established communities" and avoid detection by the authorities, police said. | Once the illegal immigrants had been smuggled into the UK they would often disappear into "established communities" and avoid detection by the authorities, police said. |
| Det Supt Steve Richardson said: "We are committed to taking out these networks and this operation is the latest in our collaboration with a growing number of law enforcement agencies in Europe and the UK to work robustly to achieve this mission." | Det Supt Steve Richardson said: "We are committed to taking out these networks and this operation is the latest in our collaboration with a growing number of law enforcement agencies in Europe and the UK to work robustly to achieve this mission." |
| The Border and Immigration Agency's Regional Director Tony Smith said: "Anyone found to be in the UK illegally should know that we will take steps to deport them." | The Border and Immigration Agency's Regional Director Tony Smith said: "Anyone found to be in the UK illegally should know that we will take steps to deport them." |
| Two of the men arrested in Peckham on suspicion of possession of a fake passport have been released on police bail. | |