A MAN has been charged with attempting to smuggle 14 Albanian migrants into the UK through Dumfries and Galloway.
Home Office criminal and financial investigations officers were deployed to the Loch Ryan Terminal on December 11 following reports of migrants being smuggled.
And a 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of facilitating the illegal entry of 14 Albanian nationals concealed in a livestock wagon in unsafe conditions.
Irish national Patrick McKinney, 23, has been charged with 14 counts under section 25 of the Immigration Act and one count of culpable and reckless conduct in connection to the incident. He remains in custody and was due to appear in court.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Commenting, Home Office criminal and financial investigations lead Anthony Hilton this week said: “Our investigation remains ongoing, and we continue to carry out enquiries at pace.
“We’re doing everything we can to stay ahead of the people smugglers who exploit our borders and put the lives of desperate people on the line for financial gain.”
