A man linked to the yacht which brought migrants ashore in Rye last year has been jailed in France. Georgian national, 43-year-old Igor Romanovi was part of an organised crime group suspected of using pleasure boats to traffic migrants across the Channel.
British and French investigators were able to link the group to two separate vessels, one of which was involved in the smuggling run on the approach to Rye in February 2022. Eleven migrants were reported to have made it safely to land after the yacht Moon ran aground on the River Rother
Romanovi was prosecuted for people smuggling offences and was sentenced to four years in prison by a court in Dieppe on June 26. He will also be banned from French territory after serving his sentence. A 36-year-old Iraqi national has also been arrested in connection with the Rye incident and has been bailed pending further enquiries.
Tom Outhwaite, regional manager for National Crime Agency International said: “Tackling people smuggling is a priority for the NCA and we are working closely with our partners in France, Belgium and beyond to target the organised criminals involved on both sides of the Channel. Together we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle these exploitative networks. Our investigation into the UK side of this crime group continues.”
You can read John Minter’s report on the yacht’s arrival in Rye News from February 2022 here
Image Credits: NCA .
Another example of Chief Inspector Jay Mendis-Gunasekera‘s crime free Rye ?
Waste of money..
why was this person not punatively fined, boat confiscated and personal movement curtailed as part of a warning if further criminal activities are undertaken he’s in prison.