A SUSPECTED people smuggling boss has been arrested in Sheldon as part of a joint investigation involving the National Crime Agency (NCA) and West Midlands Police.
Zahid Khan was detained by officers at an address in Sheldon Heath Road on Tuesday, February 10.
After being questioned by NCA investigators the 51-year-old was charged with facilitating illegal immigration and money laundering offences.
Khan was due to appear before Birmingham Magistrates on February 12.
The investigation is focused on a suspected criminal network involved in smuggling migrants both into and out of the UK in the back of lorries.
A second man, aged 44, arrested at the same time and location on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration, has been bailed pending further enquiries.
The NCA said he will remain in custody as he is wanted for failing to appear at court in relation to separate, unconnected, offences.
The operation followed the interception of a lorry carrying 33 migrants of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationality, stopped by the NCA in Dover on February 4.
The lorry was about to leave the UK on a ferry to France, and the driver was arrested.
NCA branch operations manager, Paul Jones, said: “These arrests were made as part of an ongoing investigation into a people smuggling network suspected of using HGVs to transport migrants in both directions across the Channel.
“This activity both risks the safety of those being transported, and presents a threat to our border security.
“Targeting, disrupting and dismantling gangs involved in organised immigration crime remains a priority for the NCA and our partners.”
