French police blunders may result in half of the members of the largest international people-smuggling ring, responsible for sending migrants across the Channel, evading justice.
Twenty-two smugglers are currently facing sentencing for organising crossings that are estimated to have earned them £5 million while putting countless lives in jeopardy.
However, half of these individuals failed to appear at their sentencing hearing.
Several were reportedly running the operation from within the UK, and eight are now believed to have fled the country, despite being placed under judicial supervision.
There are concerns that these smugglers could already be back in action, arranging further crossings and once again profiting from this illegal trade.
Officials from the Border Force and Home Office are said to be “gobsmacked” by these revelations, the Daily Mail reported.
The details came to light during a sentencing hearing for a series of crossings conducted from Calais to Normandy between 2020 and 2022.
Three members of the gang were granted an adjournment until March 10, which has heightened fears that they, too, may flee.
A source within the British Border Force said: “This is shocking. It shows the French are not treating this seriously.
“It’s a disgrace. These gang members will be back at it, making millions and putting lives at risk.”
The smuggling ring was dismantled in July 2022, with arrests carried out in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
One of the individuals is even believed to have ran the operation from within a French prison.
It is estimated that they organised around 300 crossings in total.
The defendants now face sentences of up to ten years in prison.
