Smugglers Busted in Huge UK Crackdown
Kingpin Nabbed in Multi-Location Raids
The National Crime Agency (NCA) swooped on a ruthless people smuggling gang across south London, Surrey, Oxfordshire, and Hartlepool yesterday. Among those arrested was the alleged ringleader behind the operation.
Investigators revealed the gang used lorries and hired vans to shuttle migrants from France straight into the UK.
Migrants Paid Up to £25,000 for Passage
Sources say some desperate migrants forked out between £20,000 and £25,000 to reach British soil. The NCA’s financial team traced multiple bank accounts tied to the network. These accounts showed turnovers ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Seven Held Over Smuggling and Money Laundering
All seven suspects are in custody, facing questioning over conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry and money laundering charges. The high-profile bust involved around 100 officers and had backing from the Metropolitan Police and Immigration Enforcement.
Officers also seized approximately £30,000 in cash as part of their crackdown.
