Luxury People Smuggling Scheme Busted by NCA
Two Ukrainian men have been locked up for running a people smuggling “VIP ferry” between France and the UK aboard a luxury yacht. Vladyslav Cherniavskyi, 37, and Oleksandr Yavtushenko, 43, were caught after the National Crime Agency (NCA) tracked their vessel, the Uforia, sailing from Le Havre.
Specialist Border Security maritime officers intercepted the yacht off the Isle of Wight and escorted it to Haslar Marina in Hampshire. A total of five migrants – four Albanian men and one Vietnamese woman – were found on board. One man was already wanted in the UK for failing to appear in court for drug offences, confirming his illegal stay.
High-Priced Passage for Migrants
Two migrants told investigators they were first housed in a French hotel before being collected by the yacht. One revealed he paid £16,000 for the illegal trip, while another was due to pay £13,000 upon arrival.
Working with French Gendarmerie and Home Office intelligence, the NCA uncovered a string of previous journeys made by the Uforia between summer 2024 and 2025, often docking at Brighton and other south coast marinas.
Ringleaders Face Prison
Cherniavskyi owned the yacht, with Yavtushenko as skipper. Both pleaded guilty to facilitating illegal immigration at Portsmouth Crown Court in November last year. Today, the judge handed Cherniavskyi six years and Yavtushenko five years behind bars. The Uforia was also seized.
Officials Crack Down on Smuggling Gangs
NCA Branch Commander Saju Sasikumar said: “They ran what can only be described as a ferry service, moving small groups for a premium price. They stood to make tens of thousands each trip, but we stopped them in their tracks with our French partners. Disrupting these gangs remains a top priority.”
Border Security Commander Maritime Charlie Eastaugh added: “These smugglers treated the Channel like a luxury taxi route, charging tens of thousands for what was no holiday. Thanks to dedicated teams in the UK and France, we ended this dangerous operation. Anyone involved in people trafficking will face serious consequences.”
Crown Prosecution Service Specialist Prosecutor Tim Burton said: “Cherniavskyi and Yavtushenko ran a blatant illegal migrant taxi across the Channel. The NCA caught them red-handed, backed by French evidence. They knowingly brought in people with no legal right to be here to line their pockets.”
