A suspected organised crime ringleader and five of his associates have been arrested across the UK as part of a major operation to dismantle a people-smuggling network accused of illegally facilitating the entry of hundreds of Botswana nationals into the country.

In coordinated raids carried out in the early hours of Tuesday 3 June, Immigration Enforcement officers arrested six individuals in Cheltenham, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Bradford. The lead suspect, a 37-year-old Botswana national, was detained in Cheltenham on suspicion of orchestrating and enabling the illegal entry of fellow nationals into the UK.

Authorities believe the criminal group facilitated the unlawful arrival of over 200 Botswana nationals during the past two years. Victims were allegedly lured under false pretences and exploited upon arrival — including being coerced into submitting fraudulent asylum applications using fake documentation and working illegally in care homes without proper training or qualifications.

Intelligence suggests the ringleader subjected individuals to exploitative conditions, including unpaid labour and forms of debt bondage. These tactics are commonly used by organised crime groups to maintain control and extract profit at the expense of vulnerable individuals.

The arrests are the latest milestone in the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to dismantle criminal networks, enforce border controls, and restore integrity to the UK’s asylum and immigration systems. Since the start of this initiative, nearly 30,000 individuals with no legal right to remain in the UK have been returned — a 12% increase year-on-year. Illegal working arrests are also up by over 40%.

Under the new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, the government will introduce robust counter-terror style powers to disrupt people-smuggling operations before they can cause harm.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: I want to commend the dedication and professionalism of our criminal investigators and Immigration Enforcement officers for these significant arrests. Their tireless efforts have disrupted criminal networks that exploit vulnerable people and undermine the rule of law.

“This operation sends a clear message: we will not tolerate those who facilitate illegal migration for personal gain. Our Plan for Change is delivering results, and we remain determined to restore control and confidence in our borders.

Phillip Parr, Head of Criminal and Financial Investigations at Immigration Enforcement, added: This is one of our most high-priority investigations due to the scale of the operation, the number of victims, and the potential harm caused.

“I’m incredibly proud of my team for executing a carefully coordinated response that has disrupted a dangerous criminal enterprise and safeguarded many individuals from ongoing abuse. Partnership and intelligence-led action are central to tackling these complex, organised threats.

The government continues to implement stricter visa controls and reduce dependency on overseas workers, as outlined in the Immigration White Paper published in May. New measures already in effect include tighter rules for care providers in England, requiring them to prioritise hiring international care workers already in the UK and seeking new employment.