Police smash Vietnamese Facebook gang that offers Channel crossing to migrants on social media for thousands of pounds a time

Police have smashed a Vietnamese Facebook-based gang that offers Channel crossing to migrants on social media for thousands of pounds a time.

The gang who were spread across Deptford, Croydon and Leicester have been arrested on suspicion of helping migrants illegally enter the UK by targeting social media posts at the Vietnamese community.

Officers arrested a 23-year-old woman from Croydon and a 64-year-old man from London on Monday morning. 

A man aged 34 was arrested in Leicester and the three were charged with assisting unlawful immigration.

A fourth individual, a 25-year-old man was also arrested in Croydon with a warrant issued by the French police who believe he was involved in people smuggling and drug offences. He will now face extradition proceedings.

Investigators believe the 64-year-old was a driver who collected migrants who had arrived on small boats and brought them at least once to the Croydon address.

As part of the combine UK and French investigation, 12 individuals have been arrested in the Paris area, suspected of being linked to the same people smuggling network.

The arrest comes as prime minister Rishi Sunak claimed that trafficking gangs are now targeting vulnerable Vietnamese migrants.

Mr Sunak's comments were echoed by charity workers at the French border who say they have seen an increase in the numbers of well dressed and seemingly well-off Vietnamese young women and teenagers.

While appearing nervous and under pressure, they also seem to have money and many expect to be able to make the perilous journey across the Channel to the UK. 

He said that number of Vietnamese arrivals had increased tenfold and made up the majority of the small boat crossings this year The Guardian reported.

 NCA Director of Threat Leadership Chris Farrimond said: 'People smuggling via small boats is extremely dangerous and the safety of those making the journey is of no concern for criminal groups who are exploiting them for profit.'

'As well the high-risk method of transport, entering under these clandestine means automatically puts these people under increased risk of being forced into exploitation and debt bondage by these groups. 

'Migrants are often sold a dream of a better life and access to well-paid employment in the UK but this is not the reality.

'Vietnamese nationals now make up a large number of those we see arriving on small boats. We allege this group were advertising their crossing services on social media to encourage others from their country to make the same treacherous journey.

'The NCA is continuing our work with partners and has had thousands of social media pages and posts advertising organised immigration crime services removed from platforms.

'These arrests were possible thanks to our close working with the CPS and the French authorities who have arrested a number of people they believe are linked to this group in France.

'Tackling organised immigration crime is a priority for the National Crime Agency and our investigation continues to target people smugglers both in the UK and overseas at every step of the route.'

Home Secretary James Cleverly said:'We are using every possible lever at our disposal to crack down on people smugglers and break their supply chains. 

'Just last week, we signed a new agreement with Vietnam, strengthening our cooperation on illegal migration.

'Together with law enforcement agencies such as the NCA, our French partners, and other countries like Vietnam, we are committed to dismantling the criminal gangs who are trying to turn a profit by abusing our borders.

'This operation is a prime example of that partnership working in action.'