UK immigration authorities have arrested six Gambian nationals suspected of running a multimillion-pound people-smuggling ring that allegedly helped over 500 individuals enter the UK illegally.

In coordinated raids across West Yorkshire and Greater London on Tuesday, immigration enforcement officers arrested seven people aged between 30 and 50. Six suspects, four men and two women, have since been charged and remanded in custody.

The Home Office said the gang used forged passports and visas, often impersonating individuals with legitimate UK status, to facilitate illegal entry. Each migrant was allegedly charged around £5,000 for a package that included flight bookings, accommodation, and illegal employment on arrival.

One of the ringleaders reportedly had over £1.3 million flowing through his bank account despite declaring an annual income of just £35,000 from a furniture job. Another suspect, who received Universal Credit, allegedly handled over £1 million across two accounts.

Officers recovered multiple counterfeit identity documents and images of passports from the main suspect’s mobile phone. The gang also allegedly created and distributed fake documents to help migrants avoid detection.

Arrests were made in Leeds, Batley, and Heckmondwike in West Yorkshire, as well as in Barking and Stratford, London.

Dame Angela Eagle, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, condemned the operation: “We will not stand by and let evil criminal gangs abuse our immigration system. This suspected gang promised migrants a better life, only to exploit them.”

“This is why we’re working with law enforcement to support victims of modern slavery and bring criminal gangs to justice,” Dame Angela added.