French Gang Jailed for Smuggling Vietnamese Stowaways into UK
Six French nationals have been locked up after a bungled attempt to smuggle three Vietnamese migrants into Britain. The trio tried to pose as tourists but were caught at Poole when sniffer dogs flagged their cars.
Ferry Ride to Crime Scene
The gang rolled in on the ferry from Cherbourg to Poole on the night of August 4 last year. Each of the three vehicles had a male driver and a female front passenger, all claiming they were simply visiting London. But routine checks with sniffer dogs exposed their secret: hidden under luggage and clothes in the rear footwells of the cars were three Vietnamese stowaways, including a 16-year-old girl.
Stowaways Rushed to Hospital
The victims endured crushing injuries and severe dehydration during their cramped journey. A man, a woman, and the teenage girl all needed urgent hospital treatment after being discovered.
Guilty and Sentenced
During questioning, most of the French suspects kept quiet or denied any knowledge of the hidden passengers. Immigration Enforcement launched a probe, and the Crown Prosecution Service charged the six with assisting unlawful immigration. All six have now been sentenced to jail.
