He was arrested at Stansted Airport today
The 48-year-old from Northern Ireland was detained at Stansted Airport today.
Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills announced the arrest during a press conference at Grays Police Station this evening.
She said: “We have officers working around the clock and we have now arrested a fourth person.
“A 48 year-old man from Northern Ireland was arrested at Stansted Airport earlier today on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic people and on suspicion of manslaughter.
“It follows the arrests of a 38 year-old man and a 38 year-old woman from Warrington during warrants executed in Cheshire overnight. They are currently in custody also on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic people and on suspicion of manslaughter.
“A 25 year-old man arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of murder remains in custody.”
Emergency services discovered the bodies in the back of a lorry at around 1.30am on Wednesday morning on the Waterglade Industrial Park in West Thurrock.
Yesterday, investigators said the eight women and 31 men were believed to be Chinese nationals.
But reports have surfaced today claiming a 26-year-old Vietnamese woman might be among the victims.
DCC Mills said: “We gave an initial steer on Thursday on nationality, however this is now a developing picture.
“As such, I will not be drawn on any further detail until formal identification processes approved by Her Majesty’s Coroner have taken place.”
She went on to asked immigrants living illegally in the UK to help investigators and promised they can speak to police “without fear” of action being taken against them.
“I can assure you that your information will be received in strictest confidence and no criminal action will be taken against you,” DCC Mills said. “If you do not feel able to speak to police directly, please contact Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.“
Tags: Purfleet, Grays, Thurrock, Lakeside, West Thurrock
