Seven men were arrested last night for being Non-Gibraltarians found in Gibraltar without valid permits, an eighth individual has been arrested for importing a prohibited import, namely a 150hp outboard powered, 6 metre Rigid Hulled Inflatable Vessel (RHIB). All 8 individuals are of North African decent, one of whom has Spanish nationality.

The arrests followed a report of a suspect vessel having been detected off Europa Point as a result of which HM Customs and RGP marine crews engaged in a joint search for the vessel. At about 2310hrs, approximately 3⁄4 miles west of the North Mole ‘A’ head, the vessel was sighted and intercepted by the Customs vessel that informed the RGP crew who effected the arrests. The occupants of the vessel were transferred on to the Customs and RGP vessels and conveyed to the Marine Base from where they were transferred to New Mole House Police Station. All the men were found to be in good health and have not required medical attention. The vessel has been seized and impounded.

All eight men remain in police custody and enquiries are being conducted to establish the true identity and provenance of all eight individuals.