Men charged as part of international organised immigration crime investigation

Three men have been charged as part of an investigation by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) into suspected organised immigration crime. 

Iqbal Khokhar, aged 58, of Montrose Avenue, Slough was charged with conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non UK national and possession or control of identity documents with intent. 

Iljit Chopra, aged 49, of Beldam Court, Brentford was charged with conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non UK national. 

Adil Khan, aged 41, of Goldsmith Avenue, Newham, was charged with entering into or being concerned in the acquisition, retention, use or control of a criminal property. 

The three men were all charged yesterday (22/9). A fourth man who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law remains in custody at this time. 

The charges were authorised by prosecutors from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and form part of a SEROCU-led investigation into the alleged facilitation of the unlawful entry of hundreds of migrants into the UK. The investigation was supported by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service and Thames Valley Police. 

The three men appeared at East Berkshire Magistrates’ Court today and have been remanded to appear at Crown Court at a date yet to be set. 

Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Boniface, Head of SEROCU, said: “Yesterday’s activity, alongside coordinated enforcement action undertaken by partners in Italy, Austria and Spain, demonstrates the strength of the relationships we have built with organisations including Europol, the National Crime Agency and the National Police Chiefs' Council. 

"The coordination, intelligence sharing and collaboration between partners across multiple countries has been vital in supporting this investigation and demonstrates the collective commitment of law enforcement agencies to tackling organised immigration crime." 

Deputy Chief Constable Wendy Gunney, NPCC Lead for Serious Organised Crime and Head of the Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce, said: “Organised Immigration Crime is a complex and evolving threat with sophisticated, organised crime networks operating across international boundaries, often connected to violence, exploitation, and criminal activity.  

“Thanks to the collective power of policing and partner agencies, we are strengthening the UK’s operational response to organised immigration crime and becoming ever more resilient to the threat OIC poses to our country and communities.   

“Our collaboration sends a clear message that law enforcement agencies are sharing intelligence, experience, and resources to help keep our borders secure and bring offenders to justice.”