The National Crime Agency and Border Force seized at least 25 inflatable 10-metre boats and 25 Parsun outboard engines from a container that arrived from China at the Port of Felixstowe on 18 July. Officials say each boat could have carried about 80 people, potentially putting up to 2,000 lives at risk if used to cross the Channel. The shipment was believed bound for Hamburg and would likely have been used by smugglers in France and Belgium; an international investigation is ongoing.
Major Blow To People-Smuggling Gangs After 25 Boats And Engines Seized At Felixstowe
'Blow' for people smuggling gangs as boats seized
Criminal networks trying to smuggle people into the UK suffered a significant setback after authorities seized a large consignment of small boat equipment at the Port of Felixstowe.
Seizure Details
Investigators from the National Crime Agency (NCA), working with Border Force teams, recovered at least 25 inflatable 10-metre boats and 25 Parsun outboard engines inside a container that arrived from China. The items were discovered at the port on 18 July.
Intended Route And Risk
Officials believe the shipment was destined for Hamburg, Germany, where it would likely have been offloaded and used by people-smuggling groups operating from ports in France and Belgium. The NCA estimates each boat could have carried around 80 people, meaning the consignment potentially put up to 2,000 lives at risk if used in crossings of the English Channel.
Adam Berry, NCA branch commander, said: "This significant seizure would have put a huge dent in the profits of the criminal network involved. It will also have stopped these dangerous boats and under-powered engines being used to put lives at risk in the Channel."
The NCA described the interception as the first known bulk consignment of boats and engines intended for people smugglers to be intercepted in the UK. The international investigation into those responsible is ongoing, and authorities say there is no suggestion the crew or operators of the ship were aware of the container's contents.
Duncan Capps CBE, Border Security Commander, added: "This seizure delivers yet another serious blow to the criminal gangs facilitating dangerous and illegal crossings. Thanks to the hard work of the NCA, Home Office intelligence teams and Border Force officers, disruptions like these to criminal networks and their supply lines are happening more than ever before."
What Happens Next
Authorities say they will continue the international probe to identify and disrupt the supply chains used by people-smuggling gangs, and to pursue and prosecute anyone involved in facilitating these dangerous crossings.
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