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Belgian, British police arrest 26 suspects of drugs, migrants smuggling

Xinhua,February 14, 2018 Adjust font size:

BRUSSELS, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Belgian and British police officers on Wednesday arrested 26 suspects and rescued 36 migrants during a massive operation throughout both countries, the British Embassy announced here on Wednesday.

The action involving more than 250 officers of both sides targeted a criminal group suspected of illegally passing migrants and drugs to Britain from Belgium and other neighboring countries. Victims were then exploited as low-wage workers in several low-key establishments in southern England.

The drugs and cash have been confiscated, according to a statement from the embassy.

"This organized criminal group mistakenly thought that a legitimate facade could mask their vile activities of human trafficking and drug trafficking," said the National Crime Agency (NCA)'s liaison officer in Brussels, who spoke of the importance of the cooperation with the Belgian Federal Police as well as federal and local prosecution offices. Enditem