Ruthless Romanian people smuggler is jailed for more than three years after dousing his human cargo in bleach so they would avoid detection while they hid in the roof of his trailer
- Costel Nicuta, 42, has been sentenced to three years and four months in prison
- Smuggler doused his human cargo in bleach so that they would avoid detection
- He was found smuggling three Albanian men hidden in hide in roof of a trailer
A ruthless Romanian people smuggler has been jailed for more than three years after dousing his human cargo in bleach so that they would avoid detection while they hid in the roof of his trailer.
Costel Nicuta, 42, was arrested on February 27 by Border Force officers at the Channel Tunnel entrance near Calais.
He was discovered smuggling three Albanian men in a purpose-built hide in the roof of a trailer. Their clothing was stained with bleach while the substance was also present on Nicuta’s hoodie.
Costel Nicuta, 42, has been sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment after assisting unlawful immigration into the UK
Nicuta with bleach on his arms – he doused his human cargo in bleach so that they would avoid detection while they hid in the roof of his trailer
The trailer, which was empty, also emitted a strong smell of bleach.
Nicuta, of no fixed addressed, was charged with assisting unlawful immigration into the UK and remanded in custody.
He pleaded guilty at a pre-trial hearing at Canterbury Crown Court in Kent via video link on April 16.
Nicuta was handed a three year and fourth month prison sentence.
Chris Philp, Minister for Immigration Compliance said: ‘We are working around the clock with law enforcement and international partners to make sure that people smugglers face the full force of the law.
Nicuta was found smuggling three Albanian men hidden in purpose-built hide in roof of trailer
A person in a hide with bleach on their trousers – the three men needed medical treatment
‘This was a horrendous attempt to try and smuggle people into the UK illegally.
‘I hope Nicuta’s imprisonment sends a clear message – anyone who engages in this kind of criminality will be caught and brought before the courts.’
Before being given to the French Police Aux Frontieres the three men needed medical treatment and the case was sent to Immigration Enforcement’s Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) team.