International probe leads to dismantling of smuggling network

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - One of the largest migrant smuggling networks across the English Channel has been dismantled with the arrest of 19 suspects following an 18-month joint investigation, Europol said Thursday.

The investigation involving law enforcement and judicial authorities from Belgium, France and Germany, led to the arrests. A total of 28 locations were raided in Germany.

Interpol said the Iraqi network smuggled Middle Eastern and East African irregular migrants from France to the UK using low-quality inflatable boats.

Twenty-four inflatable boats, 175 life vests, 81 flotation devices for children, 60 air pumps, 13 outboard mounts, 14 engines, almost 60 electronic devices, arms and several thousand euros in cash were seized.

"The suspects, all based in Germany, organised the purchase, storage and transportation of inflatable boats for their subsequent use to smuggle migrants from the beaches near the French city of Calais towards the UK," it said.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said In January 2023 that tackling small boat crossings by irregular migrants across the English Channel is among five priorities of his government as more than 45,000 migrants arrived in the UK that way in 2022.