The UK has initiated a crackdown on human smuggling by freezing assets of 25 targets, including gang leaders and suppliers of small boats. Among those targeted are individuals like Bledar Lala, involved in smuggling from Belgium, and Alen Basil, operating a trafficking network from Serbia. A Chinese company accused of manufacturing inflatable boats for smuggling is also included. While Foreign Secretary David Lammy calls it a landmark moment, experts suggest the effectiveness may be limited due to the widespread nature of smuggling networks.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the move as a 'landmark moment' but experts said the impact was likely to be limited given the scale of smuggling networks.
Sam Francis PA Media Gang leaders and small boat suppliers are among the first 25 targets to have their UK assets frozen as part of an effort to combat migrants crossing the Channel.
The list includes Albanian Bledar Lala, linked to smuggling migrants from Belgium, and Alen Basil, said to be running a people-trafficking network from Serbia.
Dr. Madeleine Sumption from Oxford University's Migration Observatory said, 'There are so many people involved in the industry that targeting people individually is probably only going to have an impact around the margins.'
Collection
[
|
...
]