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In a move to combat Channel crossings, authorities have frozen UK assets belonging to gang leaders and small boat suppliers, marking the first 25 targets of this initiative.
In addition to asset freezes, the suspected criminals are now banned from entering the UK, following the implementation of new sanctions aimed at disrupting people-smuggling networks.
The list includes individuals such as Albanian national Bledar Lala, allegedly involved in smuggling migrants from Belgium, and Alen Basil, a former police translator reportedly operating a people-trafficking network from Serbia.
While Foreign Secretary David Lammy hailed the action as a “landmark moment,” experts suggest the impact may be limited given the extensive nature of smuggling operations.
The sanctions empower UK investigators to seize assets held within the country by targeted individuals and groups, and mandate that British firms sever any financial ties with them.
Among those targeted is Weihai Yamar Outdoors Product Co, a Chinese company accused of manufacturing inflatable boats marketed for people-smuggling.
The list also includes individuals accused of providing counterfeit passports, intermediaries facilitating illegal payments, and gang members involved in human smuggling via lorries and small boats.
The BBC has confirmed that one individual on the list was interviewed for the Smuggler’s Trail podcast, with a prior agreement to protect his identity.
During the interview, the man described Britain’s immigration system as a “big joke” and claimed to have repeatedly smuggled himself in and out of the UK.
He told BBC reporters Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie that he could earn up to £100,000 in a single night by facilitating the transport of individuals on small boats from near Calais to the UK.
The smuggler, a long-time participant in people-trafficking, stated that his apprehension would not halt operations as others would take his place.
He acknowledged that a child recently drowned on one of the boats he had organized, but claimed he “did not want to” put them on the boat.
Despite this, he admitted to refusing to provide life jackets for those using boats he had organised, saying it “doesn’t matter” to him.
The BBC understands that the smuggler was recently arrested but evaded detention before his identity could be confirmed.
In a statement, Mr. Lammy said: “From Europe to Asia we are taking the fight to the people-smugglers who enable irregular migration, targeting them wherever they are in the world and making them pay for their actions.
“My message to the gangs who callously risk vulnerable lives for profit is this: we know who you are, and we will work with our partners around the world to hold you to account.”
However, the Migration Observatory at Oxford University suggests the impact of the sanctions may be limited.
Dr. Madeleine Sumption, the Observatory’s director, stated that she would be “surprised” if the sanctions proved to be the “game changer” needed to end small boat crossings.
“There are so many people involved in the industry that targeting people individually is probably only going to have an impact around the margins,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday.
She added: “The impact is dependent to an extent on the co-operation of other countries where smugglers are operating.”
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said “freezing a few bank accounts in Baghdad or slapping a travel ban on a dinghy dealer in Damascus” would not stop small boat crossings.
“The gangs aren’t scared – because Labour won’t detain, deport or even pretend to enforce the border,” Philp said.
“We must deport illegal immigrants immediately on arrival, it is the only way to end the pull factor and deter crossings.”
Challenged over whether the sanctions would have an impact, Migration Minister Seema Malhotra told the BBC that freezing assets would leave groups unable to interact with the UK economy and “disrupt” their operations.
Since coming to power in July last year, Labour has announced a series of measures to tackle people-smuggling, including a new criminal offence of endangering the lives of others at sea.
Legislation going through Parliament sets out plans to use counter-terror powers against people-smugglers – with suspects facing travel bans, social-media blackouts and phone restrictions.
But the latest figures show 2025 has already set a new record for small boat arrivals.
More than 21,000 people have made the dangerous crossing so far this year – a 56% increase on the same period in 2024.
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Fake passport dealers and firms which sell small boats could also be hit with financial sanctions under government plans.
Sir Keir Starmer has promised to “smash the gangs” which smuggle people across the English Channel.
Asat Sulieman Mohammad, 55, is appearing in court and is due to be extradited back to Belgium.
It comes after reports that asylum seekers are able to work for couriers shortly after reaching UK.
Border Force officers found a Vietnamese woman “dangerously concealed” in a cramped compartment.
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