Three members of an organised crime gang have been jailed for a total of nine years five months yesterday Wednesday, the 4th September 2019 at Isleworth Crown Court for assisting the illegal immigration into the UK of Georgian nationals.
A further three members of the gang had been sentenced to a total of six years six months imprisonment following earlier hearings. The gang sought to abuse the Common Travel Area (CTA) to smuggle people into the UK via Ireland. Their convictions followed an investigation by Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) officers which started in June 2017 and was
supported by the Cross Boarder Joint Agency Task Force (JATF).
Detective Chief Superintendent David Dowling of the Garda National Immigration Bureau said:
"This is an example of the continued cooperation between the relevant agencies in our efforts to target all types of criminal activity, including illegal immigration in both jurisdictions. Garda National Immigration Bureau has collaborated and shared intelligence throughout this investigation and will continue to work closely with all our law enforcement partners”.
Deputy Director Dave Magrath, from Immigration Enforcement CFI said:
"We are pleased that this organised crime gang who were involved in a systematic attempt to help individuals evade the UK's immigration controls has been dismantled. We work closely with law enforcement partners – particularly Border Force, PSNI in Northern Ireland and the GNIB in the Republic of Ireland – to tackle abuse of the Common Travel Area.”
Members from the Garda National Immigration Bureau were present in the United Kingdom during the search and arrest phase, supporting CFI and coordinating any potential responses that were required in Ireland.
Notes:
• The JATF (Cross Boarder Joint Agency Task Force) comprises Immigration Enforcement, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) in Ireland and other law enforcement partners.
• The task force enables cross-border cooperation across a range of policing areas, as well as intelligence sharing, which helps keep communities safe and secure.
• Additional JATF members include, An Garda Síochána, HM Revenue & Customs, the Revenue Commissioners, the Criminal Assets Bureau, and the National Crime Agency.
• The Common Travel Area (CTA) is a special travel zone between the UK, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Nationals of these countries can travel freely within the CTA without being subject to routine border controls. Documentation requirements are set by the carrier.
