An Albanian fisherman has been convicted of facilitating illegal immigration after he skippered a yacht carrying 17 migrants to the UK. Eno Gajda, 58, was investigated by the National Crime Agency after Border Security Command (BSC) officers arrested him off the coast of Dorset on 27 August. He had sailed a 40ft yacht from Dielette, France, tracked on a course for the coast near Portland before being intercepted. BSC officers boarded the vessel and apprehended Gajda. The yacht was escorted to Portland Marina Harbour, where 16 Albanian men and one male minor were removed and dealt with by immigration authorities. Gajda was questioned by NCA officers. Gajda was charged with facilitating illegal immigration and pleaded guilty at Bournemouth Crown Court on 26 October. He is due to be sentenced at the same court on 18 November. A National Crime Agency official said the attempt was a brazen bid to smuggle vulnerable migrants and highlighted the dangers of navigating across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Border Security Command said the conviction reflects the work of its officers and NCA investigators targeting people smuggling networks.