A man appeared in court today charged with smuggling six Iranian migrants across the Channel.

Samyar Ahmadi Bani was one of seven people on a Rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) that was stopped by Border Force on Saturday, June 1.

Along with Bani were five Iranian nationals, including one minor, who were stopped in the Channel heading towards the Kent coast by a patrol vessel.

All six were taken to Dover and passed to immigration officials.

Bani was arrested on Tuesday, June 4, by Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) officers at an address in Barking. He was charged the following day with assisting unlawful immigration into the UK.

The 35-year-old appeared at Folkestone Magistrates' Court today where he was remanded in custody to appear at Canterbury Crown Court in July. A date is yet to be set.

Assistant Director David Fairclough, from CFI, who are leading the enquiries, said: “Anyone crossing the Channel in small boats is putting their lives and the lives of their children in grave danger.

“We work closely with all partners in the UK and overseas to identify and dismantle the organised crime groups that facilitate this kind of dangerous illegal immigration.

“Anyone crossing the Channel in small boats is putting their lives and the lives of their children in grave danger..." David Fairclough

“Since April 2018, Immigration Enforcement officers have disrupted 57 organised crime groups involved in people smuggling.”

Since January, more than 30 people who entered the UK illegally on small boats have been returned to Europe.

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit or visit the website.

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