BREAKING NEWS: Five arrrested in second sham marriage operation for East Ham

23 July 2010

UK BORDER police have swooped on a second East Ham church and five people arrested on suspicion of being involved in a sham marriage.

Officers from the London Immigration Team raided the historic St Mary Magdalene on Norman Road at 4pm yesterday.

They struck as the would-be-bride and groom arrived for a rehearsal.

A 33-year-old Nigerian woman was arrested on suspicion of perjury, fraud, immigration offences and offences under the ID Cards Act.

A 34-year-old Czech man was arrested on suspicion of assisting unlawful immigration.

Another Czech man, aged 31, and a 34-year-old Nigerian man were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to facilitate a breach of immigration law.

Following a search of a property in Canning Town, a 41-year-old Nigerian man was arrested on suspicion of ID Cards Act offences.

All five remain in custody and are being questioned by police and immigration officers.

The operation follows the arrest of three people at St Bartholomew's Church on Barking Road last Wednesday.