‘Horrendous’ people smuggler, 42, who doused his human cargo in bleach in a failed bid to avoid detection is jailed for more than three years
- Romanian national Costel Nicuta, 42, was arrested by Border Force officers at the Channel Tunnel entrance in Coquelles, France, on February 27
- He pleaded guilty and was immediately sentenced to three years and four months in prison, the Home Office announced on Monday
- Smugglers often try to disguise the smell of their illicit cargo in order to avoid detection from sniffer dogs
A people smuggler who doused his human cargo in bleach in a bid to avoid detection has been jailed.
Three Albanian men wearing clothing stained with bleach were found hidden in a trailer by Border Force officers.
They needed medical treatment before they could be handed over to authorities, the Home Office said on Monday.
Photo issued by the Home Office of Romanian national Costel Nicuta with bleach on his arms
A photo issued by the Home Office of people in a special compartment in a trailer
Romanian national Costel Nicuta, 42, was arrested by Border Force officers at the Channel Tunnel entrance in Coquelles, France, on February 27.
He was charged with assisting unlawful immigration into the UK and remanded in custody.
On Thursday April 16 he appeared for a pre-trial hearing at Canterbury Crown Court by video link and pleaded guilty.
He was immediately sentenced to three years and four months in prison, the Home Office announced on Monday.
Border police found a strong smell of bleach and Nicuta also had some on his hoodie.
Smugglers often try to disguise the smell of their illicit cargo in order to avoid detection from sniffer dogs.
Chris Philp, minister for immigration compliance, said: ‘We are working around the clock with law enforcement and international partners to make sure that people smugglers face the full force of the law.
Romanian national Costel Nicuta who has been sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment after assisting unlawful immigration into the UK
A trafficked person in a hide with bleach on their trousers. A people smuggler who doused his human cargo in bleach in a bid to avoid detection has been jailed
‘This was a horrendous attempt to try and smuggle people into the UK illegally.
‘I hope Nicuta’s imprisonment sends a clear message – anyone who engages in this kind of criminality will be caught and brought before the courts.’
The men were found inside a purpose-built compartment on the trailer’s roof.