A 31-year-old from St Albans is one of three men charged in a human trafficking investigation after a speed boat was intercepted on a beach.

Nazmi Velia, of Park Street Lane, has been charged with conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law after a boat was stopped yesterday in Walmer, Kent.

Thomas Mason, 35, of High Street in Bedfordshire’s Eyeworth, and Egert Kajici, 34, of Turner Drive in Oxford, have both been charged with the same offence.

A further two men have been released under investigation, while four others who were arrested have now been taken to an immigration detention centre pending further enquiries.

The arrests were part of a joint operation between the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit and Border Force.

Speaking after the arrests yesterday, ERSOU Detective Sergeant James Panter said: “Clamping down on human trafficking and the illegal entry into the UK is one of our key priorities and we’re really pleased with the results from today’s operation.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners to tackle those who commit crime across the eastern region and we’d like to thank the Border Force for its support with this.”