Lorries previously used to illegally smuggle people into the UK have been stopped at the border - and fined more than £30,000.

Police stopped three separate HGVs this morning as they were about to leave the country via the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone.

All of the vehicles were found to belong to companies identified by the Home Office as owing fines relating to the illegal entry of foreign nationals into the UK.

Together, the three companies owe a staggering £39,400.

Arrangements for the payments are now being looked at the by Home Office.

The drivers were also spoken to in relation to offences relating drivers' hours.

A tweet by Kent Police's Road Policing Unit said: "3x HGV1 stopped, outstanding fines of £39,400!!

"This is for the importation of clandestines into the UK.

"All money is now being looked for by companies, one has paid. Also there is issues with some drivers hours offences."

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "On the morning of Wednesday, May 8, officers from Kent Police’s commercial vehicle unit stopped three HGVs about to leave the country via the Channel Tunnel.

"The vehicles belonged to companies identified by the Home Office as owing fines relating to the illegal entry of foreign nationals into the UK.

"The total amount owed by all three companies was £39,400.

"The Home Office was notified following each stop in order for payment to be arranged."

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone

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