Two London men have been jailed for attempting to smuggle Indian migrants into the UK in a hidden van compartment
London: So, two guys from London just got sent to prison for trying to sneak Indian migrants into the UK. They were caught with four people stuffed in a hidden part of their van, which is pretty wild.
Shafaz Khan and Choudhry Rashied thought they could pull a fast one by hiding the migrants behind some dirty tyres. When they got stopped at Newhaven Ferry Port back in March 2019, they tried to play it cool, saying they were just coming back from Belgium.
But the Border Force wasn’t buying it. They found the migrants in a cramped, unsafe spot with no fresh air. Not exactly a safe ride, right?
Both guys ended up getting five years and three months in prison for breaking UK immigration laws. The Home Office did some digging and found out they had rented the van specifically for this smuggling job.
They even used burner phones to keep their plans under wraps and met up at a local café to discuss their shady business. It’s crazy how far some people will go for a quick buck.
Angela Eagle, the Minister for Border Security, said this case shows just how sneaky people smugglers can be. They really put those migrants in a dangerous situation just to make money.
She mentioned that the government is stepping up efforts to tackle these smuggling networks, including a big investment in border security. They’re serious about protecting the borders and stopping these gangs.
Chris Foster from Immigration Enforcement added that these smugglers sell a false dream to vulnerable people, promising them a better life in the UK. It’s just not true, and it puts lives at risk.
Recently, the government announced new measures to break up these trafficking gangs. They’re looking to introduce court orders that could restrict suspected traffickers from using phones or social media, which sounds like a solid plan.
With nearly 37,000 people crossing the Channel in small boats this year, it’s clear that the issue is getting bigger. The government is gearing up to tackle it head-on.
