FIVE men and one woman have appeared before magistrates at Maidstone accused of illegal immigrant smuggling.

Their court appearance follows an undercover operation by the National Crime Squad and the Metropolitan Police.

Wyatt Anderson, 46, of London Road, Camberley, is alleged to be the pilot of a Piper Cherokee light aircraft that was twice observed to land at a private airstrip in Lamberhurst, near Tunbridge Wells, last Friday.

On the first occasion it is alleged that three women, a child and a man alighted and were driven to a café in London. On the second occasion it is alleged four men were dropped off and arrested by police as they left the airfield in another vehicle.

Mensur Hassan, 32, of Daubeney Road, Stoke Newington, was arrested at the café, and Anthony Davies, 41, of Chalfont Road, London, arrested at the airstrip.

Mr Davies' wife, Jeanette, who was also arrested at the airstrip, and Isa Baskaya, 45, of Bemerton Road, London, have been released on unconditional bail.

Indat Oztas, 39, of Carleton Road, London, was bailed on condition that he report twice a week to his local police station and remain living at his current address.