Arrest in Guernsey after Albanians arrive illegally by boat

Thursday 17 August 2023

A 25-year-old man has been arrested in Guernsey after three Albanian nationals illegally travelled to the island from France in a private boat.

Guernsey Border Agency Officers made the arrest on the weekend of the 29 and 30 July by Guernsey Border Agency Officers.

"On an annual basis the Guernsey Border Agency identify and engage with a number of individuals attempting to enter this jurisdiction who do not hold the correct immigration status," officers explained.

"These individuals are identified through the checks that are conducted on both commercial air and sea traffic and also on private vessels and aircraft that visit the island.

"The Guernsey Border Agency is mindful of the Bailiwick's position within the Common Travel Area and as such is fully aware of the responsibility the organisation has to ensure that our borders remain secure.

"When an illegal entrant is identified they are refused entry. By utilising our Immigration Rules, officers can seek to facilitate their safe return to the country they have arrived from or their own country of origin."

The Border Agency said these powers were exercised in the recent case, where the three Albanians were returned to France. It said an investigation is ongoing and it "will not be commenting any further until after matters have concluded in court".

"Bailiwick Law Enforcement as a whole take any offences in this area incredibly seriously," they continued.

"Due to our proximity to Europe, the risk of organised crime groups seeking to facilitate illegal entrants travelling into or transiting through the Bailiwick has always been present and is a threat to the CTA.

"In order to tackle such offences we plan and prepare alongside our colleagues in the Guernsey Police and other stakeholders across the States departments. We also work very closely with neighbouring jurisdictions to monitor the likelihood and associated risk to the Bailiwick in terms of Organised Crime activity."