Afghan ARRESTED over TikTok account 'advertising illegal border crossings' to Europe

National Crime Agency officers raided an address in Brent, north-west London, on 3 November, detaining a 29-year-old Afghan national and seizing his mobile phone. The arrest puts to work a law that only came into force in February. Section 17 of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 makes promoting smuggling routes a criminal offence, and this case turns that power on social media.

Martin Matthews, NCA senior investigating officer, calls organised immigration crime 'a top priority for the National Crime Agency'.

'Disrupt and dismantle': NCA senior investigating officer Martin Matthews says the agency is going after smuggling networks.

Online platforms are firmly in the NCA's sights, senior investigating officer Martin Matthews says of the agency's work.