Two Men Charged Over Southwold Small Boat People Smuggling
Two men have been charged following an Immigration Enforcement probe into a suspected people smuggling incident off the Southwold coast.
Ukrainian Pair Busted After Yacht Intercepted
Denys Khvatkov, 19, and Bohdan Lutskyi, 29, both Ukrainian nationals, appeared at Norwich Magistrates Court on Monday (3 August). They face charges of facilitating a breach of UK immigration laws and were remanded in custody ahead of an Ipswich Crown Court hearing on 1 September.
The pair were arrested on Friday (31 July) after a Border Force cutter intercepted their yacht sailing from the Netherlands towards the UK’s east coast.
Four Found on Board at Southwold Harbour
Shortly after 9pm, when the yacht moored at Southwold Harbour, Border Force officers boarded and discovered the two charged men alongside two Albanian nationals who had no right to enter the UK.
The case was swiftly handed over to Immigration Enforcement’s Criminal and Financial Investigation team for further action.
Government Cracks Down on People Smugglers
Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts, Chris Philp, said: “We will not tolerate ruthless criminals looking to break the law by smuggling people into the UK illegally. Working together with partners at home and abroad, Border Force and Immigration Enforcement are determined to disrupt and dismantle organised immigration crime networks. Those who profit from the misery of others will be brought to justice.”
The two Albanian nationals found on the yacht are currently being handled under UK immigration rules.
