A 49-year-old man has been charged with 39 counts of manslaughter after dozens of people were found in the back of a lorry in Essex.
Marius Mihai Draghici has appeared in Chelmsford Magistrates' Court today (29 October) after being detained by police in Romania in August.
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Following his arrest, morning was extradited to the UK and is now in the custody of Essex Police. He has officially been charged with the 39 counts of manslaughter, as well as conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.
The 39 Vietnamese nationals were discovered in the back of the lorry container almost exactly three years ago, on 23 October, 2019, after the lorry had been transported by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet in Essex in the early hours of the morning.
Draghici has been accused of being involved with the incident, and is suspected to have been part of the network which co-ordinated immigrants’ illegal journeys to the UK.
At the hearing, Draghici's name, age and date of birth were confirmed.
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The 49-year-old has now been remanded in custody until 28 November, on which date he is set to appear at The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, otherwise known as Old Bailey.
Emily Brown