Immigration officers are alleged to have stolen cash and property valued "in the hundreds of thousands" from small boat migrants upon their arrival and processing in the UK, a court has heard.
Six officers, all employed by the Home Office, face charges of money laundering. Five of them are also accused of misconduct in public office and conspiracy to steal, with the alleged offences occurring between 2021 and 2022.
One of the defendants, Besmir Matera, 36, faces additional charges related to his own entry into the UK.
He is accused of obtaining leave to enter the country by deception between 2003 and 2004, having allegedly "applied for asylum providing a statement and questionnaire in which he lied about his personal circumstances, including giving a false name, date of birth, place of birth and nationality," the court was told.
Mr Matera also faces two counts of possessing an identity document with improper intention, specifically a passport and a driving licence.
The court heard that Mr Matera, alongside Lee-Ann Evanson, 42; John Bernthal, 53; Ben Edwardes, 45; Jack Mitchell, 33; and David Grundy, 43, were colleagues working in immigration enforcement clandestine operations response teams in the south-east of the UK.
Prosecutor Lyndon Harris told Southwark Crown Court that their duties involved "managing the arrival of migrants on small boats, the initial processing of those individuals, searching, and placing property into bags."
The total amount allegedly stolen is estimated to be "in the hundreds of thousands."
All six defendants appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, where they denied the charges against them.
Mr Matera, of Reigate, Surrey, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, converting criminal property, obtaining leave to enter to remain in the United Kingdom by deception, and two counts of possession of an identity document with improper intention.
Ms Evanson, of Bracknell, Berkshire; Mr Bernthal, of Welling, south-east London; Mr Edwardes, of Bexleyheath, south-east London; and Mr Mitchell, of Dover, Kent, each denied charges of conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, and converting criminal property. Mr Grundy, of Croydon, south London, pleaded not guilty to converting criminal property.
The provisional trial date has been set for 17 January 2028, with Judge Nicholas Rimmer acknowledging the significant delay.
"I’m sorry it’s so long away – it’s the earliest date that the court can accommodate," he stated. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks.
All defendants were released on bail.
