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Smuggling on a luxury yacht: 20 Albanians caught in the English Channel

Politiko 2025-04-20 15:31:15

Smuggling on a luxury yacht: 20 Albanians caught in the English Channel


A new case of migrant smuggling has shocked British authorities, as a luxury yacht was used to illegally transport Albanian citizens to the United Kingdom. According to British media, the vessel a Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 343 was stopped by Border Forces in the English Channel en route to Newquay, on the south coast of England, after sailing from Brest, France.


During the search, officers discovered 20 people hiding on the yacht, all suspected of being Albanian citizens. Among them were 19 men and a woman, who have been arrested pending departure from the country.


The yacht used for the trip has been described online as a family cruise vessel, with two cabins, six beds, and a bathroom. Its value in the market used ranges from 50,000 to 80,000 pounds.


British authorities report that Albanian criminal gangs are finding new methods to evade controls, especially after recent agreements on the rapid return of migrants, which have led to a significant decrease in crossings through small boats.


For this case, Bledar Bega, 44 years old, was arrested and charged with facilitating illegal entry into Britain. He has been taken into custody and is expected to appear before the Truro Court on May 13.


Also, Florjand Lika, 30, and Romeo Zani, 32, have been charged with violating deportation orders. Both pleaded guilty at Bodmin Magistrates' Court on April 15 and have been sent to custody pending sentencing in May, at Truro Crown Court.


This incident underscores once again the ongoing challenge of the British authorities to stop illegal human trafficking networks, in which Albanians continue to be repeatedly involved.

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