Two arrested in Dagenham dawn raid
Four people thought to be part of a crime gang arranging sham marriages between Nigerian and Dutch nationals were arrested in the early hours of this morning.
Raids were carried out on homes in Dagenham and Romford at around 6am, by police and immigration officers from the UK Border Agency’s criminal and financial investigation team, accompanied by Dutch detectives.
In Lillechurch Road, Dagenham, a 39-year-old man and 30-year-old woman were also arrested on suspicion of conspiring to assist unlawful immigration.
At 42-year-old man was arrested in Myrtle Road, Romford, on suspicion of conspiring to assist unlawful immigration and seeking leave to remain by deception.
A woman, 32, was arrested at the same address on suspicion of conspiring to assist unlawful immigration.
All four are Nigerians.
They were being questioned by investigators at a police station in east London.
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Doug Rushworth, senior investigating officer, said: “The operation is the result of an international investigation involving British and Dutch law enforcement agencies.
“Four people are now in custody, and our enquiries will continue.
“We’re committed to tackling sham marriages and we aim to identify the organisers who profit from them and destroy their criminal business.”
Anyone who has information about immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
