Eleven busted in massive Channel migrant smuggling crackdown
Eleven suspects have been arrested in a major swoop targeting organised gangs behind illegal Channel crossings.
Joint raids smash migrant smuggling ring
The crackdown, launched on Tuesday 21 July, was led by Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations alongside the Met Police, National Crime Agency (NCA), Border Force, and French law enforcement. In total, 12 properties were raided—11 in London and one in sheffield/" title="Sheffield" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Sheffield.
Authorities seized £150,000 in cash and two vehicles during the operation. The suspects are believed to belong to a crime group that facilitates small boat crossings from France to the UK. They allegedly moved funds to bankroll illegal migrant journeys and promoted unlawful entry into Britain.
Home Secretary vows zero tolerance
Home Secretary Priti Patel slammed the smuggling gangs, saying:
“I will not tolerate ruthless criminals looking to break the law by smuggling people into the UK illegally. I will put whatever resource is necessary to dismantle these gangs and stop these dangerous crossings, including going after the groups financing these criminal operations.
This is a clear message to those behind these reckless crossings. We will find you and we will stop at nothing to put you behind bars and strip you of your ill-gotten gains.”
Officials hit smugglers’ pockets hard
Minister for Immigration Compliance Chris Philp, who joined the raids, added:
“This action shows that we have the intelligence and capability to track down anyone involved in people trafficking. Through this operation we have hit them where it hurts – their pockets.
We will stop at nothing to stop these dangerous and illegal Channel crossings and to make sure the criminals behind them are locked up and their assets are stripped.”
Cross-border cooperation bears fruit
The arrests cap months of intelligence-sharing and joint effort between UK and French agencies targeting migrant smuggling networks.
Matthew Long, NCA Deputy Director, said:
“People smuggling gangs treat migrants as a commodity to be profited from, with no thought for their safety and security. This can have tragic consequences as we’ve sadly seen.
Tackling this crime type and protecting life are priorities for us. We are working as one team with partners such as Immigration Enforcement, Border Force and policing. NCA officers in the UK and France contributed – this is how we need to tackle this threat, using our international network, day in, day out.”
“Those who profit from misery should be ready to be brought to justice.”
Earlier this month, Patel met French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin to agree a new Franco-British Operational Research Unit. This unit will analyse intelligence to prevent crossings and dismantle smuggling gangs for good.
