Authorities seize ship engines intended for human smugglers

British law enforcement, working with Bulgarian authorities, has successfully intercepted a significant amount of maritime equipment intended for criminal gangs facilitating illegal crossings across the Channel.

According to a press release, this joint effort between the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), the Ministry of the Interior and the Bulgarian National Customs Service has led to the seizure of hundreds of boats, motorbikes and other equipment used by people smugglers over time . past 12 months.

In total, 33 separate interceptions have resulted in the seizure of 125 dangerous inflatable boats, 128 outboard motors, more than 700 pumps and 300 rubber rings, worth around £16.6 million in lost profits to the criminal organisations.

Adrian Matthews, Director of Intelligence at the NCA, emphasized the importance of these operations: “Knocking out this equipment before it can reach them not only disrupts their operations and hurts their profits, but it also prevents these deadly boats and underpowered engines from being used at sea where lives are at risk.”

A key moment in the operation took place earlier this month, when British officers took part in a joint exercise at the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing in southern Bulgaria. The exercise involved training, intelligence sharing and targeted searches for vehicles and cargo, resulting in the discovery of ten Chinese-made outboard motors hidden among a shipment misdeclared as furniture.

This strategic border, one of the busiest in Europe, is a prime target for human traffickers and smuggling gangs.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Angela Eagle, praised the cooperation, stating: “This work shows what can be achieved through international cooperation to tackle the criminal smuggling gangs who make millions from small boat crossings… Thanks to the efforts of the NCA, Border Force and other Home Office staff our borders are safer and better. Lives may have been saved.”

The NCA says it will continue to work closely with international partners, especially in regions such as Bulgaria, to tackle organized immigration crime and disrupt the smuggling networks responsible for illegal crossings.