Immigration officers charged with theft from migrants

The charges follow a Home Office investigation into thefts and money laundering between August 2021 and November 2022.

Besmir Matera, 36, from Reigate, Surrey, is charged with conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property, obtaining leave to enter to remain in the United Kingdom by deception, and three counts of possession of an identity document with improper intention.

Jack Mitchell, 33, of Dover, Kent, is charged with conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, and concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.

Lee-Ann Evanson, 42, of Bracknell, Berkshire, is charged with conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, and concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.

John Bernthal, 53, of Welling, south-east London, is charged with conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, and concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.

Ben Edwardes, 45, of Bexleyheath, south-east London, is charged with conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, and concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.

David Grundy, 43, of Croydon, south London, is charged with concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.

The six are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 29 January.