The government plan to halt billion-dollar small boats and immigration industry
‘World-first’ sanctions to target people-smuggling gangs
- The UK government has announced new plans to curb people-smuggling and illegal immigration, particularly targeting those involved in Channel crossings.
- The Foreign Secretary unveiled a new sanctions regime on Tuesday, set to come into force on Wednesday.
- These sanctions will enable the freezing of assets and travel bans for individuals and entities facilitating illegal immigration, including gang leaders, corrupt police officers, and suppliers of small boat equipment.
- The initial wave of sanctions is expected to include over 20 designations, publicly naming those involved and prohibiting UK businesses from dealing with them.
- Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated this is the world's first sanctions regime specifically targeting people-smuggling gangs, aiming to disrupt their global financial operations.