MORE Channel migrants are brought ashore by Border Force yesterday — as Brit officers seized new dinghies on their way to people smugglers.
The National Crime Agency and local authorities stopped a lorry at Bulgaria’s Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint with Turkey and Greece.
Gary StoneMore Channel migrants are brought ashore by Border Force[/caption]
Brit officers seized new dinghies on their way to people smugglers
On board were 25, eight-metre small boats able to ferry up to 60 migrants to Britain.
Officers believe they were destined for northern France.
The NCA’s Jacque Beer said: “This was a significant seizure, with these vessels destined for use by the organised crime groups running small boat crossings from France to the UK.
“They are of the type typically used in highly dangerous and frequently deadly journeys across the English Channel, and are completely ill-suited for use at sea.
“Taking them out before they could reach the shores of northern France means we have not only prevented crossings from happening and lives being put at risk, but also put a dent in the profits of the people smugglers.
“The NCA continues to work with a number of international partners to disrupt the supply of these vessels, and other maritime equipment such as engines.”
The seizure is the biggest detection of small boats this year in Europe.
Earlier this year a similar raid in Germany stopped small boats as they approached the Dutch border.
Around 500 migrants are still thought to have made the crossing yesterday, many brought in to Dover.
The total for the year is predicted to hit 25,000 in the coming days.
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
