A British-Albanian criminal network is reportedly operating a sophisticated people-smuggling operation using luxury superyachts to bring deported criminals back into the UK, according to a new investigation. The gang promotes its service on TikTok and quoted an undercover reporter £15,500 for a seat on a yacht departing the Netherlands and docking near Dover.
Investigation reveals TikTok promotion
The undercover reporter responded to a suspicious TikTok yacht advertisement, claiming to be an Albanian national who had served time in Wandsworth Prison in London before being deported. The conversation then moved to WhatsApp, where a gang member using a UK phone number said: "I've got one seat on the boat today. A big yacht, a luxury one. We only take cash."
Another man involved claimed he had served nearly two years in Doncaster for cocaine dealing before being deported, assuring the reporter that the crossing would be "relaxed and secure." He said the gang had spent €50,000 to hire the yacht for "this job," which would accommodate no more than ten passengers, have three luxury cabins, and be crewed by Albanian skippers.
Smuggler boasts of previous success
The smuggler claimed to have recently helped 11 people reach Britain and shared WhatsApp messages from four individuals previously imprisoned in the UK, three of whom were worried about being deported again. The gang required a family member to deliver cash payment at a coffee shop before the journey, with drivers arranged to collect arrivals near Dover and transport them to London.
The TikTok account was taken down an hour after being reported, with the platform citing breaches of human trafficking guidelines.
Political reaction
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's spokesman for home affairs, told The Sun: "While the British public struggles to afford the billions of pounds spent on illegal migration, the people smugglers mock us by flaunting their wealth right under our noses. The Tories turned Britain into a revolving door for illegal migration, and Labour refuses to fix it."
Previous yacht interception
In May, five men were arrested after a yacht carrying seven people to the UK illegally was intercepted off the south coast of England, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said. Maritime officers met the yacht as it arrived at Chichester Marina, West Sussex. Two crew members—a British national aged 42 and an Albanian national aged 25—were arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration. Officers also identified three others—a British national aged 38 and two Albanians aged 24 and 32—suspected of being a 'shore party' there to meet the vessel; they were also arrested on suspicion of people smuggling.
The NCA stated: "All five were questioned by NCA investigators following their arrest. Three were later bailed pending further enquiries, while the two others, the Albanian nationals aged 25 and 32, remain in detention for immigration offences. The seven individuals found on the vessel, all Albanian nationals, will be dealt with by the immigration authorities."
NCA Branch Commander Saju Sasikumar said: "Tackling organised immigration crime remains a top priority for the NCA. Working with our partners in Border Security Command Maritime, we are determined to do all we can to target, disrupt and dismantle the gangs involved in people smuggling. Our investigation into this incident continues."
