Lorry driver caught trying to smuggle people into the UK at Newhaven Port jailed

A lorry driver who was caught attempting to smuggle people into the country at Newhaven Port has been jailed, the Home Office said.
By Jennifer Logan
Published 29th Jan 2020, 10:57 BST
Updated 29th Jan 2020, 11:00 BST
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Constantin Mocanu was stopped at the ferry terminal on August 1, last year, said a spokesman for the Home Office.

He appeared before Hove Crown Court on January 14, and was sentenced to 43 months imprisonment, confirmed the spokesman,

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The 56-year-old admitted conspiring to do an act to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK Immigration law by a non-EU person contrary to Section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977, the Home Office said.

Constantin Mocanu was caught attempting to smuggle people into the country at Newhaven Port. Picture: Home OfficeConstantin Mocanu was caught attempting to smuggle people into the country at Newhaven Port. Picture: Home Office
Constantin Mocanu was caught attempting to smuggle people into the country at Newhaven Port. Picture: Home Office

Dave Fairclough from Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI) said: “Mocanu committed this offence with no regard to the safety of the eight people he smuggled.

“The risk they faced was significant due to the cramped conditions inside the hide and the soft sided trailer made the situation even more dangerous. It is thanks to Border Force’s vigilance that the people were discovered.

“People smuggling is a crime driven by profit, and we will not hesitate to prosecute individuals involved in this type of offending.”

12 people arrested across Lewes and Wealden districts