Fourteen Albanian nationals have been found in “unsafe conditions” hidden in a livestock wagon at a Scottish port.
A 23-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of smuggling them into Scotland by ferry.
The Home Office said the Albanians were discovered by officers concealed in the wagon in “unsafe conditions” at Dumfries and Galloway’s Loch Ryan Port in Cairnryan.
Irish national Patrick McKinney has been charged with 14 counts under section 25 of the Immigration Act and one count of culpable and reckless conduct in connection with the incident.
He is being kept in custody and an investigation is ongoing.
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Anthony Hilton, Home Office criminal and financial investigations lead, said: “We continue to carry out inquiries at pace.
“We’re doing everything we can to stay ahead of the people smugglers who exploit our borders and put the lives of desperate people on the line for financial gain.”
