The total prison time handed down in the shocking case of 39 Vietnamese migrants who died in a lorry container in Grays, Essex, has now topped 110 years.
Marius Mihai Draghici, 50, was arrested in Romania last August thanks to a joint effort between UK authorities and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
He was extradited to the UK and faced 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. Draghici has admitted all charges and was sentenced yesterday, Tuesday 11 July, to 12 years and 7 months for manslaughter plus 4 years and 2 months for immigration offences, served concurrently.
‘Enormous Consequences’ of Ruthless Crime
The Honourable Mr Justice Garnham slammed Draghici’s role in the deadly scheme, calling it a “small but essential cog” in a ruthless criminal conspiracy that led to the agonising deaths of 39 innocent men, women, and children.
“The effects on the lorry occupants were obvious and had enormous consequences for their friends and family,” the judge said. “This was a chilling operation run for profit that put migrants’ lives at grave risk.”
One last defendant, Caolan Gormley from Armagh, Northern Ireland, remains to be tried. He faces charges linked to conspiracy to assist illegal immigration and unlawful immigration offences.
How Tragedy Struck In Essex
The grim discovery was made in the early hours of 23 October 2019 when driver Maurice Robinson found 39 Vietnamese people – men, women, and children – suffocated in the back of his lorry trailer on Eastern Avenue, Grays. The lorry had travelled from Zeebrugge, Belgium, to the Port of Purfleet in Essex.
Each victim and their families had paid huge sums to an organised crime gang promising them safe passage to the UK. Instead, they were crammed into deadly conditions leading to their untimely deaths.
Draghici’s role was moving the migrants onward once in the UK. Migrants were first loaded onto trailers in mainland Europe, ferried across, then transported to Collingwood Farm in Orsett, Essex, before being driven to their final destinations.
Draghici was also part of a crucial meeting on 19 October 2019, where Gheorghe Nica made a major payment to Ronan Hughes. Both Nica and Hughes have been sentenced to 18 and 27 years respectively for their roles. Robinson received a 13-year, 4-month sentence.
Justice for 39 Families – Police and Prosecutors Speak Out
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, leading the investigation, said:
“For over three years, we have never lost sight of the devastating impact October 2019 had here in Essex and, most painfully, in Vietnam. Each person inside that container was someone’s family — mothers, fathers, sons, daughters. Their families feel this loss every day.
“Today is significant because Draghici had no choice but to admit his guilt in the face of overwhelming evidence. He fled the UK after the tragedy but was found and brought back. We always said such actions wouldn’t go unpunished—and now they haven’t.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper added:
“We made a promise to the 39 victims’ families to deliver justice, and we have kept that promise. The investigation tracked down every involved party. Draghici could not escape his fate.
“This is not about triumph but justice for families ripped apart. Essex Police are proud to have led this fight.”
NCA Deputy Director International Tom Dowdall said:
“Draghici and his gang’s callous greed cost 39 lives. They risked innocent people’s lives for profit. Our officers worked tirelessly at home and abroad to find and extradite him from Romania.
“We’re committed to smashing these crime networks and preventing more tragedies. It remains an NCA top priority.”
Specialist CPS Prosecutor Russell Tyner said:
“Draghici was part of a sophisticated crime gang preying on desperate people, putting their lives in peril to make money. The loss of 39 lives is devastating.
“He tried to hide abroad but was caught and extradited thanks to hard work from law enforcement and prosecutors. We’ll seek to confiscate all his criminal profits.
“Our thoughts are with the victims’ families, and we remain committed to prosecuting anyone who exploits and profits from people smuggling.”
