IN an almost clandestine Border Force operation at Falmouth docks today a number of people believed to be Iranian illegal immigrants were landed from the futuristic tanker Gaschem Beluga.

Aided by tugs, the tanker, a liquefied ethylene gas carrier used on the trans-Atlantic petrochemical industry trade between Houston and Port Clarence on the River Tees, was brought into Falmouth and backed into the Docks Basin where the personnel transfer took place, allowing the ship to proceed on her voyage.

On Wednesday the tanker rescued five people from a RIB off Ramsgate.

Up to 70 Iranian nationals on eight boats have been detained in the Channel during the past 11 days by Border Force officers, as the agency steps up patrols in the area.

The National Crime Agency said it believed it was due to "organised crime groups" involved in people smuggling.

Chris Hogben, head of operations for organised immigration crime, said: "We don't believe that necessarily this is just the work of desperate migrants who are trying to get over to the UK under their own steam.

"We believe this is yet another example of organised criminals using more and more desperate, more and more dangerous, methods of trying to smuggle people into the UK."

The National Crime Agency said it believed it was due to "organised crime groups" involved in people smuggling.

A Home Office spokesperson said it was "alert to the risk posed" by people attempting to reach the UK illegally via small boats.

"We continue to work closely with law enforcement partners in the UK and overseas to tackle people smuggling at source.

"Nobody should put their life at risk attempting to smuggle themselves into the UK across the Channel," a statement said.

On Wednesday three boats with suspected migrants on board were picked up by the coastguard off the Kent coast.