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Deported: Albanian criminals and migrants who tried to enter the UK via boat arrive home

 

More than 40 Albanian criminals and migrants who tried to enter Britain by boat have arrived back in their home country after being deported from the UK.

A Home Office removal flight containing 42 people was seen landing at Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa in the Albanian capital, after leaving the UK on Thursday.

They included 32 criminals who had been sentenced to a combined total of 89 years in prison for offences including supplying class-A drugs and facilitating illegal entry into the country. 

Also on the plane were six failed asylum seekers and four other immigration offenders, such as those who had overstayed visa or those who had previously arrived in Britain illegally. Three of those removed had originally arrived in this country by small boat from northern France, sources said.

They were escorted by British Immigration Enforcement officers and upon landing were met by Albanian police.

It is thought to be the fourth flight in just over month to deport Albanians to the Balkan state.

Offences committed by the 32 criminals aboard the flight included possession of an offensive weapon, theft, drug production and supply, possession of a false immigration document and possession of criminal property.

One had been found in the UK despite previously being deported.

More than 13,000 Albanians have reached Britain by small boat since the start of the year.

They now make up around one in three Channel arrivals, despite their country being a safe Nato ally which wants to join the EU.

 


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