More than 30 people have been arrested across the UK in a Home Office crackdown against people smuggling gangs and those exploiting the Common Travel Area (CTA), the Government department said.

More than 30 people-smugglers have been arrested after attempting to sneak illegal migrants into the UK through the “back door” by exploiting the softer border controls with Ireland. A three-day operation by Home Office immigration enforcement officers saw 31 people held after trying to smuggle migrants with fake IDs through airports and ports by

More than 30 people were arrested, £400,000 in cash seized and 10 fraudulent identity documents confiscated. The Daily Express can reveal a suspected smuggler, a Hungarian national, was arrested for assisting unlawful immigration.

Immigration enforcement teams worked with the National Crime Agency, police and international partners to arrest 31 people in various locations across the UK - including in Scotland.