The UK National Crime Agency (NCA) said it had arrested an Iranian citizen and a UK national on suspicion of arranging migrant trafficking across the English Channel.
"NCA officers have tonight (2 January 2019) arrested a 33-year-old Iranian national and a 24-year-old British man in Manchester, on suspicion of arranging the illegal movement of migrants across the English Channel into the UK. As the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this time," the NCA said in a statement on Wednesday.
UK media have reported that traffickers leave migrants adrift on flimsy dinghies halfway across the English Channel and order them to wait for UK border guards to rescue them.
Some migrants reportedly pay up to 10,000 pounds ($13,000) to be smuggled into the United Kingdom.
READ MORE: Grand Theft Boat: 'Iranian' Migrants Reach UK in Stolen French Vessel — Reports
Earlier this week, UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid had agreed on a joint initiative to tackle illegal migration in the English Channel with French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner. Moreover, Javid asked the UK Royal Navy for support in dealing with the crisis.