TWO men were "necessary cogs in the wheel" in an organised conspiracy to smuggle almost 50 Afghan immigrants into Britain, a court heard.

Operations to smuggle two sets of the immigrants through Tilbury Docks were foiled in August 2014 after security checks uncovered the groups in the backs of cramped containers.

Stephen McLaughlin, 34, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and Martin McGlinchey, 47, of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, are both accused of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK.

They deny the charges.

Prosecutor Michael Goodwin told Basildon Crown Court the smuggling was part of an organised syndicate which tried to break UK immigration laws on both August 5 and August 16.

The first smuggling attempt involved 12 Afghan nationals, who were concealed in the back of a lorry which was travelling between France and the UK via the Channel Tunnel.

The vehicle was stopped by officials just as it was about to leave France.

The second smuggling attempt was discovered by dock workers at Tilbury when they heard noises coming from a 40ft metal container which had arrived on a ferry from Zeebrugge, Belguim.

Inside they found 35 immigrants.

Mr Goodwin told a jury that McLaughlin and McGlinchey were integral to the operation.

He said: "This is a case about a conspiracy to smuggle foreign nationals from Afghanistan into this country using normal legitimate travel routes and procedures.

"It was on a large and organised scale and the defendants were responsible for two operations ten days apart.

"The two defendants, who were both lorry drivers by trade, worked together as a team and were responsible for the transportation side of the conspiracy.

"Both had expertise in the field of haulage, as well as access to vehicles and containers.

"Mr McLaughlin had a shipping account used to book the crossings. They were there to ensure the operation went smoothly.

"The two defendants were a necessary cog in the wheel in this conspiracy. There is no innocent explanation for their movements, actions, phone calls and meetings."

Many of the immigrants required urgent medical attention and were taken to hospital for treatment.

They are now all claiming asylum in the UK.

The jury heard Taha Sharif, 38, of no fixed address, was found guilty of conspiring to facilitate illegal entry into the UK during an earlier trial.

He will be sentenced once verdicts have been given for McLaughlin and McGlinchey.

Lorry driver Timothy Murphy, 33, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, was acquitted of his involvement.

The trial continues.