Gang behind daring migrant smuggling bid off Norfolk coast jailed
Rusty trawler ‘Svanic’ used in illegal migrant smuggling attempt
A dodgy crime gang tried to sneak 69 migrants into the UK on a rusty 30-metre trawler, the ‘Svanic’, last November. The nearly 60-year-old boat, with lifejackets for just 20 people, was caught off the Norfolk coast. It had set sail from Ostend, Belgium, heading for Great Yarmouth.
The vessel was intercepted and escorted to Harwich international port thanks to a high-profile operation involving the National Crime Agency (NCA), Border Force, HM Coastguard, Immigration Enforcement, and Essex Police.
Intel from Europe cracks case wide open
The NCA had been tipped off by the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre in Lisbon after Swedish authorities spotted suspicious activity. The ‘Svanic’ had already run aground nearby 15 days earlier — and was bought in Latvia in 2020 for a mere 20,000 euros.
It ran aground again before scooping up migrants in Belgium. Three crew members from Ukraine and Latvia – Igor Kosyi, Volodymyr Mykhailov, and Alexsandrs Gulpe – were arrested on suspicion of helping illegal immigration. The migrants were handed over to Immigration Enforcement.
UK masterminds exposed by seized laptop and phone chats
Investigators found a laptop on the boat linking the crime directly to a UK-based smuggling ring.
- Latvian Sergejs Kuliss, 32, was caught waiting in Great Yarmouth on the night of the smugglers’ arrival.
- He was in daily contact with Lithuanian Arturas Jusas, 35, and Israeli Kfir Ivgi, 39, as they plotted the operation.
Phone messages revealed plans to invest in a boat for smuggling, with Jusas boasting: “From first trip we’re going to get the money back.” Ivgi shrugged off concerns over the boat’s poor condition, replying: “Yes, yes, yes…I don’t care how it looks like, it’s good.”
Audio clips show Jusas bragging about bringing in “50 people every week”, while messages confirmed contacts on the “other side” ready to move migrants to the UK.
Convictions and jail sentences handed down
Following NCA raids in June, Jusas, Ivgi, and Kuliss were arrested and charged alongside the three crew. Jusas admitted guilt in August. After an eight-week trial, Ivgi, Kuliss, Gulpe, and Kosyi were found guilty in November – exactly one year after the intercepted smuggling bid. Mykhailov was acquitted.
Today, Jusas, Ivgi, Kuliss, and Kosyi received lengthy prison sentences at Chelmsford Crown Court. Gulpe’s sentencing will happen later.
NCA Director of Investigations Nikki Holland slammed the gang: “These men had no qualms about smuggling vulnerable migrants on an unseaworthy vessel, aiming to bring in hundreds more by this deadly method. Their only motive was greed. I’m glad they are now facing lengthy jail terms.”
“We will keep working with Border Force and Immigration Enforcement to relentlessly pursue people smugglers and bring them to justice.”
