National Crime Agency officers swooped on an address in Cippenham this morning - arresting a man suspected of being head of a network of international people smugglers.

The man, a 29-year-old Iraqui, and a 36 year old British woman were detained on a European arrest warrant at an address in Bramber Court, Cippenham, Slough in the early hours.

They are wanted by the Belgian authorities for allegedly being part of a criminal network responsible for smuggling migrants into the UK from Belgium in the back of HGVs. The 29-year-old is suspected of being head of that network.

The couple will now face extradition proceedings and will appear before Westminster Magistrates today.

As NCA officers moved in to make their arrests, two people were also being detained by the Dutch authorities as part of the same investigation.

NCA head of organised immigration crime operations, Steve Reynolds, said: “The criminal networks involved in people smuggling are ruthless, treating migrants as a commodity to be profited from and exploiting their desperation.

“Working with our European partners we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle these networks – the arrest today are an example of that in action.”