Arrests made in people-smuggling investigation

A man in a black hoodie seemingly being arrested has two hands from officers on his shoulders. His face is obscured by blurring.Image source, Dorset Police
Image caption,

Two men were arrested near Southbourne Grove on Wednesday

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Two men have been arrested in Bournemouth as part of a joint investigation into people smuggling with police in Belgium.

The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) said a 33-year-old from Southampton and a 55-year-old from Bournemouth were arrested near Southbourne Grove on Wednesday on suspicion of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

At the same time, a man in Belgium was arrested and five men, believed to be intending to travel to the UK by lorry, were stopped.

The suspect from Southampton was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs after suspected cocaine and amphetamine were seized from his home.

Det Supt Kevin Till of SWROCU said: "Criminals involved in organised immigration crime see migrants as nothing more than money making commodities."

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