Nine arrested amid immigration sting targeting rogue fishing fleet in Scotland

Nine people have been arrested as part of an immigration sting targeting a rogue fishing fleet in Scotland.

The Immigration Enforcement’s Threat Response and Volume Crime Unit led operations took place between July 26 and July 30 across Scottish ports.

The team carried out enforcement action in Barra, Oban, Fraserburgh, and Mallaig following intelligence relating to a suspected rogue fishing fleet operator.

Officers boarded 34 fishing vessels after allegations of modern slavery, labour exploitation, illegal working, and wider criminality within the UK commercial fishing industry.

The multi-agency operation was also supported by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Police Scotland and the Exploitation and Modern Slavery Team.

The nine arrested included five Sri Lankan nationals and four Philippine nationals. The four Philippine nationals have since returned voluntarily to their home country.

Civil penalty referral notices were issued, and liable employers face fines of up to £60,000 per worker if they are found to have employed an illegal worker and failed to carry out pre-employment checks.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Anna Turley, said: “This government is tackling illegal working and ensuring unscrupulous employers are not exploiting vulnerable individuals and undercutting legitimate business.

“That is why in Scotland illegal working visits and arrests were at record levels in 2025, and have more than doubled across the UK since the election.”

Immigration Enforcement has carried out 31% more visits and 20% more arrests within the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period last year.

From October, companies hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers, including in the delivery sector, will be legally required to carry out checks to confirm anyone working in their name is eligible to work in the UK. 

Those who fail to do so will face hefty penalties, including fines of up to £60,000 per worker, director disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to five years.

Since the election, over 80,000 immigration offenders and foreign criminals have been removed from the UK. 