Albanians had paid 10,000 pounds to cross to Britain

According to the investigation, they had received 10,000 pounds each to cross the border.

Registered as the first instance of illegal air trafficking, David Green, 54, and Edward Buckley 46, are suspected of being part of an expanded group of English traffickers

Both were arrested Monday at an airport in Mark, near the port city of Calais as they were preparing to fly on Cessna and the 4 Albanians aboard.

Green, a professional architect and Buckley, a carpenter, were found guilty of “helping move illegal immigrants as part of an organised body”.

Two Britons have also been barred from entering France for at least five years, while the aircraft has been confiscated.

Green is an amateur veteran pilot who turned his hobby into a lucrative business, asking for <x0-cyphers per traveler”, the prosecutor's spokesman suggested.

The couple had organized at least five flights since April, while other flights registered by them have been on the used airport.

Prosecutor Raphael Wach had sought three and a half years in prison for each defendant and fine of 45,000 pounds each.

“They withdrew from large profits”, said Mrs. Wach.

It is unacceptable to require such high sums in a way, benefiting from the misery of other people”.

On the other hand, Emmanuele Osmont, Buckley's lawyer, said her client and pilot didn't have “harnessed misery” because their clients were middle class Albanians, who had “para”.

Among the four Albanian immigrants was a mother and her child who were taken to hospital for control and from there disappeared in an unknown direction. Police are still looking for them.

Meanwhile, the other two Albanians -- one man and one woman -- continue to be in custody in Coquelles.

Investigations into the case follow.