Five people have been sentenced in the United Kingdom after an international investigation uncovered a migrant-smuggling network that transported Vietnamese nationals from France to the UK and forced some migrants to work to repay their travel debts.
The investigation began when French customs officials seized a package containing 22 Vietnamese passports. Authorities determined that the passports belonged to migrants who were being moved from France to the UK using small boats and lorries.
Migrants were reportedly charged as much as €20,000 for the journey. Those who could not afford to pay were allegedly forced to work for members of the criminal network under conditions described as debt bondage.
Investigators also uncovered evidence that the group had moved more than €1.8 million in criminal proceeds back to Vietnam through more than 800 bank transactions.
Five suspects were arrested in late 2025. Investigators then spent more than 15 months tracing the movement of the money through money-transfer businesses while examining evidence recovered from the suspects’ mobile phones.
Messages found on the devices provided information about how the smuggling operation was organised. Investigators found discussions about prices, flight arrangements, routes and vehicles used to transport migrants.
The communications also contained details about workplaces where some migrants were allegedly forced to work as part of the debt-bondage arrangements.
The case went to trial in August 2026, with the five suspects sentenced on September 14 and 15.
The individuals received prison sentences ranging from four to 12 years for offences related to migrant smuggling. They also received sentences ranging from two to eight years for money laundering.
The investigation involved authorities from Belgium, France and the United Kingdom, with Eurojust helping to coordinate judicial cooperation between the countries.
A joint investigation team was established involving Belgian, French and UK authorities. According to Eurojust, the arrangement allowed investigators to exchange information and evidence more quickly and coordinate investigative actions across borders.
A coordinated operation in March 2026 resulted in the arrest of a further 16 suspects in France and three in the UK.
The investigation involved several law enforcement and judicial authorities.
In Belgium, the investigation involved the Investigating Judge of the Court of First Instance of West Flanders, the Federal Public Prosecution Office and the Federal Judicial Police of West Flanders.
French authorities involved included an investigative judge and the Public Prosecution Office of the Court of Bobigny, together with the Central Office Against Migrant Smuggling Roissy.
In the UK, the Crown Prosecution Service and National Crime Agency participated in the investigation.
The case highlights the cross-border nature of migrant-smuggling networks, which can involve the movement of people through several countries, the use of complex financial transfers and the exploitation of migrants who are unable to pay the full cost of their journeys.
Authorities said international cooperation was central to tracing the network’s activities and bringing those involved before the courts.