Boat Migrants Using Yachts to Avoid Border Security: Report

Britain is widening its crackdown on boat migrants by targeting yacht smugglers moving people to less-traveled ports. The Daily Telegraph notes nearly a thousand trafficked dinghy migrants arrived along the south coast in the past week, while a quieter yacht route appears to move people unseen. In West Sussex, the National Crime Agency announced five men arrested at Chichester Marina, about 100 miles west of Pett, Dungeness and Dover; two crew members, one British and one Albanian, were held on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration, and three shore-party members—one Briton and two Albanians—were detained. Seven Albanian passengers were taken into custody by immigration authorities. Operation Kraken aims to strengthen border security against yacht smugglers, with guidelines for industry and the public to spot suspicious activity. The National Crime Agency urged watchers to note nervous crew, unfamiliar maritime knowledge, odd boat modifications, and cash-driven purchases of equipment. The Daily Telegraph highlighted Kraken’s broad reach across the country, while posters in remote places such as Airmyn, Yorkshire, illustrate how yacht-smuggling networks may extend far from typical shorelines. Officials say vigilance remains essential.