Twelve arrested in Cumbria immigration crime crackdown

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 09:28 · Archive

Cumbria Police arrested twelve people and seized £56,000 during a week-long operation targeting organised immigration crime. The operation, supported by Immigration Enforcement, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, trading standards, and HM Revenue and Customs, resulted in significant asset seizures across the county.

Officers seized five cars, 95,000 suspected counterfeit cigarettes, cannabis and prescription medication. They also engaged with more than 80 individuals as part of efforts to disrupt criminal activity. Arrests were made in multiple locations including Appleby, Penrith, Bowness-on-Windermere and areas near Kendal.

Detective Inspector Sam Johnson said that transport networks provide opportunities for criminal groups to move people, assets and commodities. 'By disrupting organised criminal use of the roads, we are aiming to protect people and make it harder for organised crime groups to operate,' he said.

Organised immigration crime includes the illegal entry or exit of individuals from the UK, often exposing those involved to exploitation. The offences also involve the use of fraudulent documents and people brought into the country being in debt to those carrying out the smuggling, according to Det Insp Johnson.

Det Insp Johnson described organised immigration crime as 'a complex and evolving challenge to policing across the UK'. He said policing is working with partner and other law enforcement agencies to tackle the gangs behind these crimes through various methods, including operations such as this designed to disrupt illegal activity and send a message to those involved.

The operation was a national policing priority focused on tackling organised immigration crime.

How it is being reported

• 12 arrested and £56,000 seized in Cumbria immigration crime operationCumbria Police arrest 12 and seize £56,000, cars, counterfeit cigarettes, cannabis and medication in week-long joint organised immigration crime operation.Whitehaven News · 22 Oct, 08:58
• 12 arrested and £56,000 seized in Cumbria immigration crime operationCumbria Police arrest 12 and seize £56,000, cars, counterfeit cigarettes, cannabis and medication in week-long joint organised immigration crime operation.Westmorland Gazette · 22 Oct, 08:58
• 12 arrested and £56,000 seized in Cumbria immigration crime operationCumbria Police arrest 12 and seize £56,000, cars, counterfeit cigarettes, cannabis and medication in week-long joint organised immigration crime operation.Cumberland News · 22 Oct, 08:58
• 12 arrested and £56,000 seized in Cumbria immigration crime operationCumbria Police arrest 12 and seize £56,000, cars, counterfeit cigarettes, cannabis and medication in week-long joint organised immigration crime operation.NW Evening Mail · 22 Oct, 08:58

In this story: Cumbria Police · Immigration Enforcement · Sam Johnson · Cumbria · Appleby · Penrith · Bowness-on-Windermere · Kendal

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem