Migrant gangs sail yachts 35 miles inland, leaving marinas and villages 'on alert'

Migrant gangs sail yachts 35 miles inland, leaving marinas and villages 'on alert'Seven Albanian migrants were found on a yacht intercepted nearly five nautical miles inland as officials warn gangs are exploiting Britain's waterways. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Michael D. Carroll 06:53, Fri, May 29, 2026 Updated: 06:54, Fri, May 29, 2026 Inland waterways such as Chichester marina have seen migrant boats land (Image: Getty)Rural communities far from Britain's coastline are being warned they could become targets for illegal migrant landings after a yacht carrying Albanian nationals was intercepted miles inland.National Crime Agency and Border Force officers arrested five men on Monday after stopping a vessel at Chichester Marina in West Sussex, almost five nautical miles from the south coast. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTSeven Albanian migrants discovered on board were taken into immigration detention following the operation.Two crew members, a 42-year-old British man and another man aged 25, were arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration into the UK.Officers also detained three more men believed to have been waiting on shore to meet the yacht. They included a 38-year-old British national and two Albanian men aged 24 and 32. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTAll three were arrested on suspicion of people smuggling offences. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Read more: Half of migrants council workers believed were children were actually adults Read more: Son of Saddam Hussein security officer granted UK asylum after judge's warning Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more Subscribe Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can uns...