Three men on the Isle of Wight have been charged with immigration offences today (Thursday) following an investigation by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU).
Hampshire Constabulary says the alleged offences relate to two occasions, one where illegal migrants were brought into the UK via a yacht, between 17 and 19 March 2020.
It's alleged another took place between 26 and 27 June 2020, when illegal migrants were said to be brought to the UK via a small boat across the English Channel but were intercepted by French authorities after a joint operation with SEROCU, the National Crime Agency and French authorities.
44-year-old Jean-Pierre Labelle, of Ashey Road, Ryde has been charged with two counts of assisting unlawful immigration to a member state contrary to section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971.
47-year-old Stephen Redhead, of High Street, Shanklin, has been charged with one count of assisting unlawful immigration to a member state contrary to section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971.
54-year-old Christopher Barber, of Landguard Road, Shanklin, has been charged with one count of assisting unlawful immigration to a member state contrary to section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971.
All three appeared at Isle of Wight Magistrates Court today and were bailed.
They will appear at Newport Crown Court on 12 July.