Attempt to smuggle 10 Albanians into England fails; they were being transported on a powerful-engine dinghy

Ten people were arrested after a boat carrying Albanian nationals arrived at Mylor Harbour in Cornwall, England, the British Home Office has confirmed.

Devon and Cornwall Police were notified at around 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 27, after a report that several people had disembarked from a boat at Mylor Harbour, gotten into a van and then left the area, according to ITV television, as cited by TCH.

Police said officers arrived at the scene and arrested two Albanian nationals on suspicion of immigration law violations.

The British Coastguard was also engaged in the operation, while the Falmouth lifeboat crew was activated as a precaution at around 4:00 a.m.

A British Home Office spokesperson said authorities responded swiftly to a rare and isolated incident at Mylor Harbour, Falmouth.

“Ten people have been arrested since then. Another person, believed to be under 18, has been referred to social services,” the spokesperson said.

According to British authorities, the investigation is still ongoing and for this reason no further details can be given.

The Home Office stressed that clandestine entries of this kind are unusual and that the vessel involved was a small boat carrying a limited number of people.

The investigation is now led by the Criminal and Financial Investigations Unit for Wales and the South West of England.