Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Koninklijke Marechaussee
Koninklijke Marechaussee - Credit: Joeppoulssen / DepositPhotos - License: DepositPhotos
Crime
human smuggling
Europol
Koninklijke Marechaussee
Belgium
France
United Kingdom
English Channel
asylum seekers
Thursday, October 1, 2020 - 10:30
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Twelve arrested in major people smuggling bust

Twelve suspects were arrested in a Europol dismantling of a people smuggling ring in cooperation with the Dutch, Belgian, French and English authorities. According to Europol, the suspects smuggled a large number of migrants in life-threatening conditions through the English Channel.

The suspects were arrested in a two-day long operation on Monday and Tuesday. Seven suspects were arrested in France, two in the Netherlands and three in the UK. 

According to Europol, this organized crime group smuggled people with small boats from the north coast of France to the United Kingdom. Members of the smuggling network purchased inflatable boats and engines in Germany and the Netherlands, took these to the departure points, and taught migrants how to operate the boats to cross the Channel. This while charging an average of 3 thousand euros per person for the crossing.

"This transportation in overloaded boats, and often in very difficult weather conditions on one of the busiest commercial shipping lanes in the world, endangered both the lives of the migrants and the law enforcement officers involved in rescue operations at sea," Europol said.

In addition to the arrests, the authorities also seized 12 vehicles, 10 rubber boats and engines, 158 life jackets, a caravan, a boat trailer, jewelry, about 48 thousand euros in cash, documents, and mobile devices. 

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Referral bonuses skyrocket as staff shortages rise
  • Code yellow: More thunderstorms to hit south, east Netherlands this afternoon
  • Video suggests assassination in fatal Rotterdam shooting
  • Video: Police use deepfake to ask for information on 13-year-old's murder in 2003
  • €40 mil. extra to arm vulnerable regions against organized crime
  • Dutch home prices still climbing, but slowing down

Top stories

  • €40 mil. extra to arm vulnerable regions against organized crime
  • Dutch home prices still climbing, but slowing down
  • Body found in burning car in Limburg village
  • Up to three weeks of quarantine after contact with monkeypox patients
  • Explosion shatters windows in Amsterdam Nieuw-West
  • Doctors must report cases of monkeypox, RIVM advice says

© 2012-2022, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content