A TAXI driver from Nelson has been cleared of any involvement in a people trafficking plot across the UK and French border after a seven-month ordeal.

Cabbie Ghulam Abbas, 40, has not been able to work since he was arrested by officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) in November.

He was forced to surrender his passport and mobile phone while on bail for conspiring to breach immigration laws.

Mr Abbas, of Camden Street, was accused of helping traffick people out of the country and he was said to have driven a large number of people to a lorry parked on the A2.

Later the lorry was intercepted by immigration officers and several arrests were made as part of the SOCA probe.

But not guilty verdicts were returned by Judge Philip Statman in relation to Mr Abbas and his four co-defendants during a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court.

The judge also said the men could claim costs for atten-ding various hearings related to the case.

They could have faced jail sentences of up to 14 years.

SOCA officials have refused to comment on why the case, initially described as a ‘very large conspiracy’ was dropped after an 18-month long inquiry.

But Mr Abbas, who was force to undergo a curfew between 11pm and 6am as part of his bail conditions, is looking forward to returning to work.

He said: “Someone gave these people the wrong information and I am just happy with the outcome of the case.

"They have given me back my passport and mobile phone. I just want to get my job back as a taxi driver.”