14 immigration arrests in Belfast during Home Office operation

Over a three-day period, the Home Office's Immigration Enforcement conducted a significant operation in Belfast, resulting in the arrest of 14 individuals attempting to travel to Great Britain. These arrests occurred at Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Airport, and Belfast Docks, targeting those who had entered the UK illegally by exploiting the Common Travel Area (CTA). Among those detained were seven Albanians and an Iranian man found with false documents. The operation was part of a broader UK-wide initiative aimed at disrupting organized crime groups that misuse the CTA, which allows free movement for UK and Irish citizens but does not extend the same rights to migrants. The Home Office emphasized the vulnerability of many individuals involved, often coming from war-torn regions and being exploited by criminal gangs. In addition to the arrests, the operation included checks on foot passengers arriving by ferry and profiling vehicles of interest. Authorities also apprehended individuals posing significant risks to the UK, including those previously deported for serious offenses. The operation extended beyond Northern Ireland, with a total of 31 immigration offenders arrested across various locations, including Scotland and Wales. This initiative highlights ongoing efforts to safeguard vulnerable populations and combat serious organized crime linked to immigration violations.