Men charged after migrant smuggling investigation
BBCThree men have appeared in court following an investigation into the alleged unlawful entry of hundreds of migrants by air into the UK.
The investigation was led by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) with support from Europol and police forces across the continent.
Iqbal Khokhar, 58, of Slough, Iljit Chopra, 49, of Brentford, and Adil Khan, 41, of Newham in east London, appeared at East Berkshire Magistrates' Court in Slough.
They were all remanded in custody.
Khokhar and Chopra are both charged with conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non-UK national.
Khokhar is also charged with the possession or control of identity documents with intent.
Khan is charged with entering into or being concerned in the acquisition, retention, use or control of a criminal property.
They were all charged on Tuesday.
Det Ch Supt Steve Boniface, head of SEROCU, said: "Yesterday's activity, alongside coordinated enforcement action undertaken by partners in Italy, Austria and Spain, demonstrates the strength of the relationships we have built with organisations including Europol, the National Crime Agency and the National Police Chiefs' Council."
Europol said the network allegedly smuggled migrants from mainland Europe to the UK by air.
Police forces involved in the investigation were from Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the US.
