Archives

LE HAVRE, France, Thursday (AFP) - French customs authorities have intercepted a German-registered truck with 39 Sri Lankan illegal immigrants suspected of trying to reach Britain by car ferry, police said Thursday.

The immigrants, who were stopped on Sunday in the northwestern port city of Le Havre, had sneaked on board the truck in Paris, and reportedly paid 1,500 euros (1,350 dollars) each for the trip.

Police questioned several of them and they were then allowed to go free.

The 37-year-old German truck driver was jailed and placed under investigation for helping foreigners enter, travel and illegally stay in the country. He denies any involvement in the affair.

The man told officials he was being paid under the table to transport toilets by a man of Asian origin, who travelled part of the way with him from Duesseldorf in western Germany.

The man reportedly got off the truck 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Le Havre and has since vanished without a trace.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager