74 immigrants are sent home

From the archive, first published Wednesday 25th Apr 2001.

SCORES of people arrested in Southampton during Britain's biggest ever operation against illegal immigrants were today returning to their homelands.

A total of 74 immigrants were leaving on a flight from Bournemouth Airport this morning following Operation Leighton, a series of dawn raids carried out in Southampton's inner city area yesterday.

Hampshire police spokeswoman Susan Rolling said the highest figure from any previous single operation against illegal immigration had been 44.

Meanwhile 16 men and two women believed to be the ringleaders of the racket were continuing to be quizzed at Fareham and Lyndhurst police stations. A total of 93 immigrants, mainly Poles, were detained in the 4.30am swoop by police and immigration officials in the Newtown and Nicholstown areas of Southampton yesterday.

Those arrested were taken to Waterlooville, Havant and Basingstoke cellblocks before most were moved to Bournemouth Airport this morning.

One Lithuanian man was put on a flight from Gatwick, while other asylum seekers were moved to separate detention centres for further assessment.

Bright new future that led to slavery see pages eight and nine of today's Daily Echo.

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