Two Ukrainians Jailed for Illegal Yacht People Smuggling to UK
Denys Khvatkov, 19, and Bohdan Lutskyi, 39, have been sentenced at Norwich Crown Court for smuggling migrants into the UK. The Ukrainian pair pleaded guilty to facilitating breaches of UK immigration laws.
Yacht Intercepted Off Suffolk Coast
The men were arrested on 31 July after Dutch coastguard tipped off UK Border Force about a suspicious yacht heading from the Netherlands to the UK. A Border Force cutter tracked the vessel as it approached Southwold Harbour.
Just after 9pm, officers boarded the yacht and found Khvatkov, Lutskyi, and two Albanian men onboard. The Albanians had no legal right to be in the UK. Khvatkov had been steering the yacht while Lutskyi was caught trying the boat upon docking.
£5,000 Bribe and Fake Sailing Credentials
During police interviews, one Albanian migrant admitted paying £5,000 each to Khvatkov and Lutskyi to smuggle them into the country. Both Ukrainians were also found with fake International Yacht Training cards, claiming false maritime experience.
Home Secretary Priti Patel blasted the smugglers: “These men are shameless, ruthless criminals making money by smuggling people into the UK. Our law enforcement agencies are disrupting these gangs at home and abroad.”
“We will not tolerate those exploiting vulnerable people through illegal routes. I am fixing a broken asylum system to be firm, fair, and compassionate—welcoming safe and legal arrivals only.”
Justice Served and Yacht Seized
Clandestine Channel Threat Commander Dan O’Mahoney praised the swift international cooperation and Border Force response that stopped the smuggling attempt. The judge also ordered the yacht and its contents forfeited to the public purse.
The two Albanian migrants have since lodged immigration applications, which remain under review.
