People smuggling

7 days ago

Close-up of Twana Jamal who has dark hair and a full beard, wearing a white collared shirt, standing outdoors in front of a blue metal shutter. He is turned slightly to one side, not facing directly toward the camera. In the background, there is a building entrance with glass doors and a partially visible green sign.

Mini-marts linked to convicted people smuggler closed after BBC investigation

We traced Twana Jamal, once the "the godfather" of French migrant camps, to two shops in Leicestershire.

7 days ago

2 Jul 2026

A large rubber rib boat with several men on board wearing orange life jackets out at sea.

Migrants arrive by boat in Farage's constituency

Six men are detained after being dropped off from a boat off the coast of Holland-on-Sea in Essex.

2 Jul 2026

Man with dark hair, wearing a white shirt.

Confronting a convicted people smuggler seeking UK asylum

A convicted people smuggler, once described as "the godfather" of the French migrant camps, is living in Leicestershire and believed to be seeking asylum while working illegally, a BBC investigation can reveal.

2 Jul 2026

People smuggler convicted in France found by BBC living in UK and seeking asylum

Once described as "the godfather" of French migrant camps, he has been working in a Leicestershire village.

2 Jul 2026

26 Jun 2026

A general view of The National Crime Agency building

Man charged with people smuggling offences

Vilson Halili was arrested by the National Crime Agency in Redhill on Thursday.

26 Jun 2026

19 Jun 2026

A composite image of a police mugshot showing a man with short dark hair and a grey hoodie. The right image features an advert for cross channel journeys. Text reads "Uk to France, France to UK, Inbox message"

How people smuggler used TikTok to promote cross-Channel journeys

Jaskirat Singh is jailed for five years and three months for conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

19 Jun 2026

9 Jun 2026

A large group of young men wearing hooded sweatshirts and light-blue surgical masks sit closely together on the floor in a crowded indoor space. Most face forward toward the camera, with some looking downward or to the side. The setting appears dimly lit, with people packed tightly in rows, filling the frame from foreground to background. Clothing is mostly dark or neutral tones, and the confined arrangement suggests limited space.

300 migrants bound for UK kidnapped and threatened with kidney removal

The Iraqi Kurds were captured by a militia who demanded a ransom of $5,000 (£3,700) per person.

9 Jun 2026

29 May 2026

Migrants wearing orange life vests on a boat

Scot jailed in France over bid to smuggle migrants on boat to UK

John Frizell, from Glasgow, was arrested in Normandy when police found five migrants on his boat - including a three-year-old girl.

29 May 2026

19 May 2026

Kardo Jaf pictured in a coastal setting. He has short black hair and facial hair, and wears black sunglasses and a black top. Behind him is a large body of water where several boats are docked in a marina, and

Key people smuggler arrested after BBC uncovered identity

The 28-year-old's network is thought to have transported thousands of illegal migrants into the UK.

19 May 2026