Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

A man and woman from Great Barr in Birmingham were arrested in Sutton Coldfield as part of an investigation into people smuggling earlier this week

Four people have been charged as part of a National Crime Agency into a crime group alleged to be involved in smuggling people to the UK using small boats.

Pistiwan Jameel, aged 53 and of Old Oscott Lane in Great Barr, Birmingham, and Clare Meekings, aged 52 of the same address, were both arrested by NCA officers in Birmingham on Monday and have now been charged with conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration.

Artan Halilaj, aged 39 and of Crosslands Avenue in Southall, was also arrested in Hounslow on Monday and has been charged with the same offence.

Fiorentino Halilaj, aged 25 and of no fixed abode, was produced from an immigration detention centre near Heathrow on Tuesday and interviewed by NCA officers. He has also now been charged with conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration.

All four appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court on Wednesday, October 25.

Birmingham small boats suspects named in people smuggling probe