Six French nationals — three men and three women — were jailed today after being caught smuggling three Vietnamese people into the UK. The gang pretended to be tourists but were exposed by sniffer dogs at Poole.
Ferry Crossing to Crime
The group arrived by ferry from Cherbourg to Poole on the night of 4 August last year. Each of the three cars held a man driving and a woman in the front passenger seat, all claiming they were just visiting London.
But sniffer dogs raised alarms during routine checks. Hidden under luggage and clothes in the rear footwell of each vehicle was a Vietnamese national, including a 16-year-old girl.
Victims Hospitalised
The stowaways suffered crushing injuries and dehydration. A man, a woman, and the teenage girl needed hospital treatment after the ordeal.
Guilty Pleas and Jail Time
In interviews, the six French suspects mostly refused to speak, with some denying they knew anyone was hiding in their cars. Immigration Enforcement launched an investigation, and the Crown Prosecution Service charged them with assisting unlawful immigration.
All pleaded guilty at Winchester Crown Court last year and were sentenced on Friday
- Mouhammad Toure, 26 – 18 months
- Sarah Guedj, 23 – 18 months
- Rayhan Diamane, 21 – 18 months
- Mariam Erraji, 21 – 18 months
- Imrane Trabelsi, 21 – 18 months
- Sohane Dahamni, 19 – 16 months
