Two men are awaiting sentencing in the UK after being found guilty of helping migrants enter the country illegally using false passports. The men, a 36-year-old Kuwaiti and a 28-year-old Turkish national, facilitated six migrants flying from France to the UK on documents with “lookalike” photos. Authorities said three other attempts were stopped due to inconsistencies.
The migrants reportedly paid around £8,000 each for the journeys and presented themselves at passport control as undocumented asylum seekers. The men were arrested following an investigation led by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) unit. A third suspect, a 26-year-old Syrian, stood trial, but the jury could not reach a verdict.
Chris Foster, CFI regional lead, said the case highlights “excellent collaborative work” to tackle criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling. Authorities stressed that the operation aimed to protect the UK’s borders and vulnerable people while targeting those who profit from illegal migration.
The British government has recently taken stronger measures against people smugglers, including new laws criminalizing the advertisement of small boat crossings. The National Crime Agency (NCA) has also seized hundreds of boats intended for Channel crossings in joint operations with Bulgarian police.
Home Office officials said social media is often used by smugglers to attract migrants, and around 80 percent of small boat arrivals reported using online contacts to plan their journey. Individuals found guilty of facilitating illegal entry or illegal working in the UK can face up to five years in prison and significant fines.
The CPS confirmed it will use the new laws to prosecute cases involving false travel documents, illegal working, and social media promotion of small boat crossings. Since July 2024, the government reports a 50 percent increase in arrests for illegal work and has returned over 35,000 people without the right to remain in the UK.