The National Crime Agency (NCA) is currently carrying out around 60 investigations into suspects using small boats to smuggle thousands of people into the UK, bosses have said.
Branch Commander Matt Rivers said the organization was “involved in around 60 investigations at the moment” following a rise in Channel crossings, with some set to be taken to court while others are starting.
Rivers said he could not confirm how many of the 60 investigations are actual active prosecutions.
It comes after 40 people were arrested in July on suspicion of people-trafficking in small boats.
Rivers told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We have several arrivals but the arrests (are) of those who are actually behind the migrant transfers.
“We haven’t arrested all the groups at this point. We’re working on as many groups as we can identify where the intelligence is leading us.
“We had a big impact over the summer and will have more impacts as we continue.”
He added that he believes a “vast majority” of the arrests will be prosecuted.
The NCA’s deputy director of threat leadership, Andrea Wilson, said reports of an increase in Albanian arrivals on boats crossing the Channel are accurate and whether or not they are involved in organized crime is ” part of the evaluation process”.
In July, the total number of people arriving in the UK since the start of 2022 after navigating busy sea lanes from France in small boats such as dinghies reached 15,107, according to provisional government figures.
The milestone, almost double the figure recorded in July last year (7,735), was reached when it emerged that the Foreign Office had advised against the government sending migrants to Rwanda due to human rights concerns.
Ms Wilson told Today: “The numbers are extraordinary and this is a challenge for all of us involved in the fight against immigration organized crime, specifically the small craft area.
“So, working with our partners, as I’ve described both here and overseas, we’re having an absolute impact. If we ever stop the crossovers … if I had the answer to that, that would be wonderful. But, without without a doubt, we are all collectively doing very well and making a very good impact.”
More than 2,000 people arrived in the UK between 8 and 18 July, the longest streak of consecutive crossings to date this year.
The highest daily total so far in 2022 was recorded on April 13 when 651 people made the crossing on 18 ships.
