It has emerged that European people-smuggling gangs are using garlic to put sniffer dogs off the scent as they attempt to sneak people into the UK.
The tactic came to light at the trial of four Bulgarian men in England who are accused of trafficking people.
When border officials in Dover found nine illegal immigrants in the hidden compartment of a van, they found a large stash of garlic which they believe was being used mainly to confuse sniffer dogs.
The group was discovered when immigration officers heard the sound of a child crying and found a two-tier compartment hidden behind a false bulkhead.
The men are accused of smuggling five Afghans – including three children aged 15, 11 and 2 plus a brother and sister aged 16 and 21 from Iraq, and two Iranians aged 41 and 14 – into the UK.
The trial continues.
