UK border agents arrest 26 in raids to disrupt cross-Channel human smuggling gangs

LONDON – U.K. border agents have arrested more than two dozen suspects in a crackdown on the trafficking gangs that smuggle people into Britain.

Chris Foster of the U.K. Border Agency says a significant smuggling operation has been disrupted by one of the biggest raids in U.K. history. Police said 26 people were arrested for human trafficking and immigration violations after raids that took place in London and other parts of England and Scotland.

The gangs are suspected of bringing immigrants from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and other countries into Britain concealed in trucks and other vehicles.

British officials said Wednesday they were working in conjunction with authorities in Belgium and France.