A GROUP of five would-be illegal immigrants have been stopped from entering the country after Border Force officers found them hiding inside a lorry which was bound for an address in Pymoor.

Cambs Times: Louis the sniffer dog who rumbled the stowawaysLouis the sniffer dog who rumbled the stowaways (Image: Archant)

The five men, all from Albania, were discovered at around 1.15am at the Port of Coquelles, in France, on May 28 when Border Force officers, along with sniffer dog Louis, searched the Italian-registered lorry as it waited to board a ferry to the UK.

The truck was carrying a mixed load of goods bound for address in Main Street, Pymoor, as well as in Stanwell, Surrey, and Purfleet, Essex.

The stowaways were handed over to the French border police and the vehicle was allowed to continue onto its destinations.

Paul Morgan, Border Force director for South East & Europe, said:

“This incident shows why we base Border Force staff in France - to stop would-be illegal immigrants before they can reach the UK.

“Our strong presence in French ports like Coquelles and close collaboration with the French authorities helps protect the whole of the UK from people attempting to enter the country illegally.

“As well as using sniffer dogs, officers also use heartbeat detectors, carbon dioxide probes and physical searches to find people hiding in vehicles”.