Immigration officers believe they have smashed a people smuggling ring at Heathrow airport, following eight arrests.
The gang is suspected of helping asylum seekers gain illegal entry to the US from Britain by getting them on to planes unhindered.
Officers from the newly formed British Immigration Crime Team, part of the National Crime Squad, swooped at the London airport yesterday after a year-long surveillance operation.
Four of those arrested worked at Terminal Three, a man and woman for Virgin Atlantic Airways, and two men for Initial Aviation Security (IAS), the spokeswoman said.
The other four men, arrested as part of Operation Groundmass, are suspected of helping to provide false documents.
Both Virgin and IAS worked closely with the ICT officers after it became clear an unusual number of attempts to enter the US were being made on Virgin services.
The gang is suspected of providing asylum seekers with boarding cards at the airport and helping them pass through security and on to the plane.
The eight arrested, who are all from west London or Slough, are being questioned at a police station in London.
Steve Ridgway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, said: "Virgin Atlantic chose to work alongside the Immigration Crime Team to smash this sophisticated emigration scam and give all airlines invaluable intelligence on how to reduce the chances of similar gangs from operating at Heathrow in future."
"These arrests will send a clear warning to others that those who attempt to exploit those who wish to gain entry into the US will be tracked down, arrested and put before the courts."
PA