British gangsters behind Calais people-smuggling
PEOPLE-smugglers arrested in Calais are increasingly likely to be British, it was revealed yesterday.
They make up the largest group, charging up to £1,100 a time to spirit thousands of illegal immigrants across the Channel from the French port.
The French Immigration Ministry said 42 of 235 people traffickers arrested in the first six months of this year were from UK gangs – more than double the number last year.
They were followed by 32 French, 20 German and 50 from other European countries. The rest were from countries spread further afield, including Afghanistan and Pakistan. A French government source said British gangsters are making vast profits from getting illegal immigrants into their own country. Many are already involved in drugs and money laundering.
“The British are still very much learning the trade,” said the source, “but they are becoming more involved every day as the number of arrests shows.”
Only 50 traffickers were convicted in French courts because witnesses fearing violence will not testify against them.
Criminals use lorries, trains, boats and even light planes to transport migrants.
Most British smugglers arrested were on a motorway into Calais that has an endless stream of juggernauts.