A SIX-WEEK trial is due to start this week following an alleged attempt to smuggle dozens of migrants into the country on a fishing boat.
The boat, which was allegedly hiding 69 Albanian nationals on board, was intercepted by law enforcement agencies and was escorted into Harwich Harbour.
The 30-metre trawler, Svanic, was intercepted by Border Force cutters in an operation which also involved Immigration Enforcement, HM Coastguard and Essex Police on November 17, 2020.
The three crew members were arrested by the National Crime Agency and charged with facilitating illegal immigration while the migrants were handed to immigration enforcement.
The NCA also arrested further UK-based suspects in a series of raids on June 8 this year.
Ukrainian nationals Igor Kosyi, 56, Volodymyr Mykhailov, 49 and Latvian national Aleksandrs Gulpe, 44, will face trial at Chelmsford Crown Court alongside Kfir Ivgi, 39, of Corrigan Close, Finchley, and Sergejs Kuliss, 32, of Albert Basin Way, Newham, London.
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