A Sheppey man is one of eight arrested in relation to an alleged people smuggling operation which brought Albanian migrants across the Channel in small boats.

Wayne Bath, Leonard Powell, George Powell, Alan Viles, Albert Letchford, Francis Wade and Sabah Dulaj appeared before Medway magistrates charged with conspiring to facilitate illegal migration.

This followed a National Crime Agency investigation after an abandoned inflatable boat was discovered on a Dymchurch beach in May last year. It contained life jackets and showed signs of recent use.

Nearly three weeks later, another similar craft carrying 18 Albanians was rescued from the Channel after breaking down.

Two British skippers, Mark Stribling and Robert Stilwell, were arrested and later sentenced to more than four years in jail.

The eight men arrested are alleged to have been connected to both incidents.

Bath, 36, comes from Warden, Leonard Powell, 65, and George Powell, 40, are from Farningham.

Viles, 27, is from Folkestone, Letchford, 41, comes from Gravesend, while Wade, 58, is from Wainscott.

Albanian national Dulaj, 22, lives in London.

Alfie Powell, 38, of Swanley, is set to appear before magistrates on Wednesday, August 2.

The other seven are due at London’s Old Bailey on Tuesday, August 15.