Barra boat caught up in modern slavery operation
A Barra fishing vessel has been caught up in a major UK-wide initiative designed to clamp down on exploitation and modern slavery in the fishing industry.
Between 26th and 30th July immigration officers were deployed at ports across Scotland, including Fraserburgh, Oban, Mallaig and Barra.
The Gazette understands that the Barra-registered boat involved is the “Aurora”.
At a recent meeting with Stornoway Community Council, Western Isles Police Inspector Neil Taylor described how, working with UK Border Force and the National Crime Agency, they carried out an operation in Barra for modern slavery on two separate occasions and brought to safety a number of foreign nationals who had been working in poor conditions and treatment on fishing boats there. Those responsible have been fined over £160,000, he told the meeting.
As well as targeting owners for exploitation and modern slavery, the recent multi-force operation also detained a number of employees for working illegally.
The nine arrested individuals included five Sri Lankan nationals and four Philippine nationals. The four Philippine nationals have since returned voluntarily to their home country.
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."
Adam San, Assistant Director of Immigration Enforcement’s Threat Response & Volume Crime Unit, said: “I want to thank the team of officers who dealt with this operation with professionalism and sensitivity.
“Immigration Enforcement deal with threats across the UK and this is not limited to illegal activity occurring solely on land. These arrests demonstrate our ability to tackle all illegal working, in whatever form it takes.”