Trafficking suspect who ‘provided small boat components’ arrested in ‘necessary milestone’

A suspected “significant supplier” of small boats equipment has been arrested in a major operation in Amsterdam.

The 44-year-old Turkish national’s detention has been hailed as an “important milestone” in efforts to smash smuggling gangs. He is suspected of supplying engines and boats – claimed to be “completely unfit for open water” – used to cross the Channel.

The man is accused of shipping the parts from Turkey and storing them in Germany before they are moved to northern Frace. The suspect now faces extradition to Belgium to face charges of people smuggling, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

It follows a joint investigation by the NCA and investigators in the Netherlands and Belgium. Rob Jones, the NCA’s director general, said: “This arrest marks an important milestone in one of the NCA’s most significant investigations into organised immigration crime…

“We suspect that this individual is a major supplier of boats and engines to the smugglers operating in Belgium and northern France.” He said the vessells and engines used in Channel crossing are “highly dangerous and completely unfit for open water”.

So far at least 58 people are known to have died making the dangerous journey. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: ““We will relentlessly pursue the criminal smuggling gangs making millions out of small boat crossings that undermine our border security and put lives at risk.

“This major investigation shows how important it is for our crime fighting agencies to be working hand in glove with our international partners to get results.”

The NCA is currently leading around 70 ongoing investigations into networks and individuals involved in “top tier” trafficking and immigration crime. The operation to arrest the Turkish national was jointly co-ordinated through a Europol Operational Task Force and assistance of Eurojust through the formation of a Joint Investigation Team.

A statement from the Public Prosecutor’s Office of West-Flanders said: “International cooperation is crucial in the fight against human smuggling, and the arrest of this suspect through close cooperation with our UK and Dutch partners demonstrates our ongoing commitment to partnership working.

“Human smuggling criminals do not respect national borders, and we will relentlessly pursue these criminals through working internationally.”