Island at threat of organised crime groups bringing in illegal immigrants
GUERNSEY’S proximity to Europe puts the island at threat of organised crime groups targeting the island for illegal immigration, the Guernsey Border Agency has said.
The authorities spoke out following an incident over a weekend at the end of July, when Guernsey Border Agency officers arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of being knowingly concerned in facilitating the entry of illegal entrants into the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
This was in connection with three Albanian nationals who had arrived in the island by private vessel from France.
The man has since appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, and has now been remanded, pending a committal hearing.
A GBA spokesman said that on an annual basis the Guernsey Border Agency identified and engaged with a number of individuals attempting to enter the jurisdiction without the correct immigration status.
‘Bailiwick Law Enforcement as a whole take any offences in this area incredibly seriously,’ the spokesman said.
‘Due to our proximity to Europe, the risk of organised crime groups seeking to facilitate illegal entrants travelling into or transiting through the Bailiwick has always been present and is a threat to the CTA.
‘In order to tackle such offences, we plan and prepare alongside our colleagues in the Guernsey Police and other stakeholders across States departments.’
We also work very closely with neighbouring jurisdictions to monitor the likelihood and associated risk to the Bailiwick in terms of organised crime activity.’
People trying to enter the island without the correct paperwork were often identified through checks conducted on both commercial air and sea traffic and also on private vessels and aircraft visiting the island.
‘The Guernsey Border Agency is mindful of the Bailiwick’s position within the Common Travel Area and as such is fully aware of the responsibility the organisation has to ensure that our borders remain secure,’ the spokesman said.
‘When an illegal entrant is identified they are refused entry. By utilising our immigration rules, officers can seek to facilitate their safe return to the country they have arrived from or their own country of origin. These powers were exercised in this most recent case, where they were returned to France.’
The investigation into the recent incident is still ongoing.
