Gangs net over £1bn smuggling refugees to UK

EVIL smuggling gangs have raked in more than £1billion bringing migrants across the Channel, immigration officials have revealed.

At least 200 organised crime gangs are involved in the crossings.

They have links across Europe, Africa and Asia.

More than 100,000 migrants have made the journey since 2018, meaning smugglers have pocketed more than £1billion, although the true figure is expected to be higher when failed journeys that are already paid for are taken into account.

Individual journeys have varied but sources say the price regularly goes over £10,000 for a “deluxe” service, and as demand has increased.

Despite last weekend’s tragedy – where six migrants drowned after getting into difficulty in the Channel – smugglers are still urging migrants to cross.

They are even tricking them into believing a “crackdown” will be launched on the back of the tragedy, making it harder.

A Border Force insider said: “Small boat crossings are a billion-pound industry. It’s one of the most profitable criminal enterprises in the world right now and is unfolding every week openly in the Channel.

‘There’s no sign this will stop. The demand is huge’

It’s astonishing. They’ve easily made over £1billion and there’s no sign this will stop.

“The crossings are being controlled by more than 200 organised gangs across the world and the supply and demand is huge.

“Once one goes there’s several others ready to take their place.”

An increasing number of those making the journeys are coming from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Albanians used to account for a large majority, but the numbers have reduced. Gangs are “brainwashing” migrants into thinking there will be a crackdown in light of the tragedy.

An official in the Albanian capital Tirana said: “There’s a shocking spree of messages being sent which is basically telling Albanians to hurry up and go now before it all becomes impossible.

“It’s vile. They are saying there will be a crackdown but they’re making it up to encourage more trade. It’s a get-rich-quick scheme.

“In particular it is the Albanian gangs doing this to try and bring trade back to where it was.”

Natalie Elphicke, Tory MP for

Dover and Deal, said: “People need to realise that illegal migration isn’t a victimless crime.

“Not only does it cost lives but the billions of pounds in the hands of these criminal gangs is used to fuel other serious organised crime here and across the EU. That’s why the route itself needs to be shut down.”