Sailboat smugglers arrested: Albanians wanted to sail from Hoorn to England | Inland

The police force of the Marechaussee had started an investigation after a sailing yacht was inspected by the Coast Guard in September 2020 near IJmuiden because of the use of limited lighting at sea.

Albanians

A check showed that there were six Albanians on board without valid travel documents. The sailing yacht was chartered and on its way from Hoorn to England.

After the skipper from Enkhuizen was arrested by the Marechaussee and the Albanians were placed in immigration detention, the Marechaussee started an investigation into the organization of human smuggling.

Arrests

In the investigation, conducted under the leadership of the North Holland Public Prosecution Service, three suspects were identified. On 12, 13 and 15 April, a 67-year-old man from Medemblik, 61-year-old man from Amsterdam and 38-year-old man from Rotterdam were arrested by the Marechaussee.

The Marechaussee seized various data carriers during the arrests and searches of homes. Further investigation will take place into the arrested suspects.

Climbers

Smuggling via pleasure boats does not occur often in the Netherlands. Climbers are regularly encountered in the ports of Hoek van Holland and Rotterdam, trying to get to England by ferry.

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