A joint UK-French unit has led to the arrest of over 300 suspected people smugglers since its creation five years ago. The Joint Intelligence Cell (JIC/URO), based in northern France, is comprised of officers from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and France’s Police Nationale.
The unit, which aims to disrupt and dismantle organized crime groups, has been instrumental in breaking up at least 52 gangs operating in France. These gangs are often involved in organizing small boat crossings across the English Channel. The collaboration allows for the rapid sharing of intelligence, which has led to the interception of boats and engines and subsequent arrests. Notable cases include:
- Kaiwan Poore: Extradited from the UK to France and sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a network responsible for thousands of Channel crossings.
- Afghan Network: Six members were sentenced to nearly 27 years in prison and fined over 193,000 Euros.
- Fatal Crossing: Nine individuals were sentenced to a total of 64 years for their involvement in a 2022 small boat crossing that resulted in four deaths.
- Multi-country operation: NCA intelligence supported a French operation that resulted in 17 arrests and the seizure of numerous boats and engines in Germany and France.
Deputy Director Rick Jones, who leads the NCA’s international network, said:
“France is a key partner for the UK in the fight against organised immigration crime, and the NCA enjoys an excellent bi-lateral relationship with our French law enforcement counterparts. The NCA’s involvement with HOIO in JIC/URO means we have UK officers on the ground working with the French police to build proactive and reactive investigations for judicial adoption, with a particular focus on the small boats threat. We continue to work with French partners to identify facilitators based in Northern France, and have supplied intelligence which we know has prevented crossings and led to the arrests of the individuals involved. Together with them we are determined to do all we can to target these cruel people smuggling gangs who are putting lives at risk by transporting migrants across the Channel.”
Deputy Director for Home Office International Operations Victoria Pullen said:
“Our joint work with the NCA and French authorities is paramount to disrupting the operation of organised criminal gangs who continue to put our borders at risk, through closer collaboration and enhanced intelligence sharing we are seeing more criminal enterprises being taken down. The French are our closest partner on tackling the global threat of organised immigration crime and our work with them is stronger than ever, thanks to the joint unit which has seen hundreds of arrests and seizures of unfit vessels headed for the UK, saving countless lives at sea. Together we make clear that we won’t stand by and watch, we are taking the action needed to secure our borders and ensure those who undermine our laws face justice for participating in this life-threatening trade.”