UK investigators help smash illegal immigrant smuggling gang

British investigators have helped smash an international crime gang charging illegal immigrants €10,000 (£8,371) to be smuggled into the UK.

Four false document factories were dismantled and 33 suspects arrested following an operation that began in March.

Gang members were suspected of smuggling hundreds of Iranians into Britain after tortuous journeys across Europe.

The UK's National Crime Agency worked with Greek police who arrested 24 suspects during raids in Athens. Those held were Iranian, Pakistani and Algerian nationals.

Investigators seized forging equipment, hundreds of counterfeited documents and €50,000 (£41,886).

A 46-year-old British woman was one of nine other suspects arrested by Home Office investigators during linked raids in Manchester, Northampton and Glasgow last week.

The others held were seven Iranian men and a Polish woman, all of whom were bailed after being questioned.

Chris Hogben, from the NCA's Border Policing Command, said: "As a result of close collaboration and intelligence sharing with the Greek authorities, this operation has led to the arrests of those we believe are key members of a criminal network responsible for smuggling hundreds of Iranian migrants from Iran to the UK.

"We will continue to work with our partners around the world and in the UK to pursue the criminals facilitating illegal immigration, and take action to disrupt their networks."