22-07-2025
Corrupt police sanctioned over Channel migrant smuggling
Corrupt police will be among two dozen people smugglers named this week as subject to the first financial sanctions to combat Channel migrant crossings.
The suspected criminals behind people smuggling into the UK and Europe will be sanctioned on Wednesday, enabling UK investigators to freeze any assets they have in Britain and those of any individual who supplies them with equipment or helps them financially.
Like Russian oligarchs, they will also be banned from travelling to the UK under the new powers, which will be introduced in Parliament on Tuesday, 24 hours before the two dozen 'linchpins' in the illegal trafficking trade are named.
At least two corrupt police officers are among those to be 'named and shamed' alongside the gangsters heading the people-smuggling networks, suppliers of dinghies, equipment and fake passports and middlemen who facilitate payments through the Hawala network.
The Hawala system enables transfers of funds agreed between operators, or hawaladars, in different countries so no cash crosses borders.
