UK smuggler opens up: Inside look at cross-Channel document trade
A Vietnamese document forger explains his role in illegal Channel crossings while new data shows record-breaking numbers. Recent tragedy near Calais highlights growing risks of over-packed boats
A UK-based document forger whose helping Vietnamese migrants cross borders says its just “paperwork“ (making fake bank papers and payslips for visa applications)
I just do paperwork. I help people to travel. I dont force them to take certain routes
The number of border-crossers has hit an all-time peak this year - already passing last years total of 29‚437 after a Border Force ship brought in 55 more people on oct 28th
Maritime experts think the final count might reach 35-40k by years end depending on the weather conditions; thats still lower than the peak from 2 years ago
- Vietnamese nationals now make up the biggest group crossing
- Average boat now carries 60 people (3x more than 6 years ago)
- Death toll reached 56 this year - way up from last years 12
The situation got worse last week when 3 migrants died near calais coast in an over-packed dinghy with almost 50 people. Border agencies say boat-supply limits are making smugglers pack more people into each crossing
The new government changed things up - they stopped the rwanda-deportation plan and made a new border-security team instead. Theyʼre putting more people in MI5 and border force to catch smuggling groups‚ but the crossings keep happening
An under-cover check found that cross-channel spots still cost £2‚600 per person‚ with smugglers still making false promises about safe passage
