A NORTH-East man is facing charges of masterminding a plan to smuggle illegal immigrants into the UK.
Kashmir Singh Nanan, 36, of Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, has been charged with facilitating the entry of illegal immigrants.
The trial, which starts at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, follows a series of raids across Europe after 21 illegal immigrants were found trying to reach the UK in the back of a lorry in Germany, last December.
Singh Nanan, of the Rajan Wine Centre, Durham Road, Birtley, will deny the charge against him in a trial expected to last at least three days.
Three men arrested in Germany are facing prosecution for the alleged facilitation of illegal immigrants.
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