French and Belgian police have dismantled a major people-smuggling network believed to be linked to the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants found in a refrigerated lorry in Essex last October. In coordinated raids, 26 people were arrested across both countries, with 13 appearing before a Belgian judge on Friday charged with human trafficking, criminal organisation membership, and forgery.
The network continued operating after the tragedy, even during France's coronavirus lockdown, using taxis to transport migrants to Channel ports. Europol stated the organisation is suspected of moving illegal migrants, mostly Vietnamese, through Belgium and France to the UK, with several dozen people transported daily for months.
Each victim paid up to €35,000 (£32,000) for the journey from Vietnam. The 39 bodies, including 10 teenagers, were found in a container shipped from Zeebrugge to Purfleet. Driver Maurice Robinson pleaded guilty to 39 counts of manslaughter, while other defendants face trial in October.
French investigators tracked the smugglers using GPS data from victims' phones. Those arrested in France are believed to have housed migrants in Paris before moving them north. During lockdown, smugglers hid small groups inside lorry cabs crossing the Channel.
The investigation involved police from Belgium, France, Ireland, and the UK, alongside Europol and Eurojust. If convicted, the Belgian suspects face up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to €150,000 per identified victim.
