Post by Taxigirl on Nov 4, 2004 14:07:14 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3981833.stm
A gang that is thought to have smuggled hundreds of Turkish people into London has been smashed, police have said.
Thirteen people were arrested on Thursday as raids were carried out in London, Hamburg and Cologne.
Scotland Yard said they are being questioned over the alleged trafficking of people between Turkey and the UK.
The illegal immigrants, thought to have been brought in by air, road and sea, were exploited as cheap labour in cafes and takeaways in London and elsewhere.
The Metropolitan Police and European immigration officers joined forces for operation Maxim which has been more than a year in the planning.
Eight people were arrested after dawn raids in Surrey, south, west and south-east London. Police are continuing to search these addresses.
A further five people were arrested by immigration officials in Hamburg and Cologne.
Met Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur said: "Working with our European colleagues enabled us to take out an entire human trafficking network; from route to source.
"We continue to target the facilitators and criminal entrepreneurs who cause misery on many levels, mostly within their own communities.
Tough action
"Many of the crimes impact directly on the diverse communities of London. By arresting these people we are making London a safer city for all its inhabitants."
Immigration Minister for the UK, Des Browne, said the success of the operation "sends a clear message that those seeking to abuse our immigration system will be caught and prosecuted.
"We will take tough action on people here illegally and those who make money by facilitating them.
"This kind of racket undermines the confidence of local people and we are determined to ensure we disrupt and prosecute those responsible."
A gang that is thought to have smuggled hundreds of Turkish people into London has been smashed, police have said.
Thirteen people were arrested on Thursday as raids were carried out in London, Hamburg and Cologne.
Scotland Yard said they are being questioned over the alleged trafficking of people between Turkey and the UK.
The illegal immigrants, thought to have been brought in by air, road and sea, were exploited as cheap labour in cafes and takeaways in London and elsewhere.
The Metropolitan Police and European immigration officers joined forces for operation Maxim which has been more than a year in the planning.
Eight people were arrested after dawn raids in Surrey, south, west and south-east London. Police are continuing to search these addresses.
A further five people were arrested by immigration officials in Hamburg and Cologne.
Met Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur said: "Working with our European colleagues enabled us to take out an entire human trafficking network; from route to source.
"We continue to target the facilitators and criminal entrepreneurs who cause misery on many levels, mostly within their own communities.
Tough action
"Many of the crimes impact directly on the diverse communities of London. By arresting these people we are making London a safer city for all its inhabitants."
Immigration Minister for the UK, Des Browne, said the success of the operation "sends a clear message that those seeking to abuse our immigration system will be caught and prosecuted.
"We will take tough action on people here illegally and those who make money by facilitating them.
"This kind of racket undermines the confidence of local people and we are determined to ensure we disrupt and prosecute those responsible."