FIVE would-be illegal immigrants have been stopped from entering the country after Border Force officers found them hiding inside a lorry which was bound for an address in Purfleet.
The five men, all from Albania, were discovered at around 1.15am at the Port of Coquelles on 28 May when Border Force officers, along with sniffer dog Louis, searched the Italian-registered lorry as it waited to board a ferry to the UK.
The truck was carrying a mixed load of goods bound for addresses in Long Lane, Stanwell; Main Street, Pymoor; and Stonehouse Lane, Purfleet.
The stowaways were handed over to the French border police and the vehicle was allowed to continue onto its destinations.
Paul Morgan, Border Force Director for South East & Europe, said:
“This incident shows why we base Border Force staff in France – to stop would-be illegal immigrants before they can reach the UK.
“Our strong presence in French ports like Coquelles and close collaboration with the French authorities helps protect the whole of the UK from people attempting to enter the country illegally.
“As well as using sniffer dogs, officers also use heartbeat detectors, carbon dioxide probes and physical searches to find people hiding in vehicles”.
A leaflet, issued by the Border Force, in partnership with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), gives information and advice to lorry drivers transporting freight to and from the UK on how to prevent illegal immigration and avoid becoming victims of crime.