A BOAT of illegal immigrants has been found in south coast waters.

The National Crime Agency has begun an investigation after the discovery of eight illegal migrants on a yacht.

Eight Albanian nationals were found on board and their cases will now be dealt with in line with UK immigration rules by Immigration Enforcement.

A 46-foot motor cruiser was stopped by the Border Force and a coastguard helicopter last night and escorted into Portsmouth.

The vessel’s skipper, a 64-year-old British national, has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to facilitate a breach of immigration laws and is now being questioned by NCA investigators.

According to the NCA the boat which was intercepted at sea of the coast of Sussex is being forensically examined at Portsmouth naval base.

NCA operations manager Martin Matthews said: “The NCA works closely with our law enforcement partners to protect our borders, and targeting and disrupting criminal groups involved in people smuggling is one of our highest priorities.

“This particular incident is now the subject of a criminal investigation, and I’m grateful for the assistance of Border Force, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Ministry of Defence in that.”