Illegal ‘Migrant Taxi’ Bosses Busted Running Channel Ferry Scam
Two men have been caught red-handed running a dodgy “migrant taxi service” ferrying illegal migrants across the English Channel for tens of thousands of pounds per trip, say prosecutors. The National Crime Agency (NCA), in a joint swoop with French cops, smashed the high-priced smuggling racket cold.
Smugglers Charged Premium Prices for ‘Ferry Service’
NCA Branch Commander Saju Sasikumar revealed the pair charged desperate migrants a fortune for each small group crossing. “This was basically a ferry service, ferrying small parties each trip but charging sky-high prices,” he said.
“These men were lining their pockets to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds per run, but our joint operation with French counterparts put a stop to their filthy business.”
Border Boss Slams Greedy Smugglers Risking Lives
Border Security Commander Maritime Charlie Eastaugh laid into the smugglers’ sham. “They sold a so-called ‘luxury’ illegal journey to the UK for tens of thousands — nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.
“Thanks to relentless work by my teams and our French colleagues, we stopped these crooks who recklessly endangered the UK’s border. Anyone caught trafficking people will face the full force of the law.”
Prosecutors Name Cherniavskyi and Yavtushenko in Probe
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the suspects as Cherniavskyi and Yavtushenko, who knowingly smuggled migrants without legal right into the UK.
“Cherniavskyi and Yavtushenko were effectively running an illegal migrant taxi service across the English Channel,” said CPS specialist Tim Burton. “Thanks to the NCA and French evidence, we built an unanswerable case. Both knew they were bringing people in without the right to enter the UK — but chose profits over the law.”
This bust proves the power of UK-French teamwork cracking down on channel crossings and organised smuggling gangs.
