Nine individuals have been arrested on suspicion of immigration offences after eight men were found concealed in the back of a lorry near a busy motorway in Staffordshire. The incident occurred on January 22, when police responded to reports of suspicious activity at a layby off the A460 in Featherstone at approximately 2:50 p.m.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered eight men cramped inside the lorry. A 62-year-old man, who has no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to facilitate a breach of UK immigration law. The other eight men, aged between 19 and 37 and also without fixed addresses, were arrested on suspicion of knowingly entering the UK without permission.
All nine suspects remain in custody and are being questioned by immigration officers as the investigation continues.
READ MORE: Teachers ‘Prepared to Keep Fighting’ Amid Birmingham Strike Over Job Cuts
READ MORE: Chris Davies Confirms Bright Osayi-Samuel’s Return for Birmingham City vs Stoke City with Quadruple Injury Update
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police stated: “We received a call about suspicious activity at a layby on the A460 in Featherstone. Upon arrival, officers found eight men in the back of a lorry. A 62-year-old man was arrested for allegedly conspiring to breach immigration laws, alongside eight other men suspected of entering the UK unlawfully. They remain in custody for further questioning.”