Man suspected of supplying boats for people smuggling arrested

A man suspected of being a significant supplier of small boats equipment to people smugglers has been arrested.

The man is suspected of supplying engines and boats to smugglers in northern France, according to the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA).

The Turkish national, 44, was arrested at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on Wednesday, as part of an operation involving the NCA and Dutch and Belgian partners.

He will be extradited to Belgium to face charges of human smuggling.

Authorities said the man, who has not been named, shipped supplies from Turkey, stored them in Germany, then transported them to northern France.

He was arrested after authorities learned he was travelling from Turkey to the Netherlands.

NCA director general for operations Rob Jones said the man is thought to be a "major supplier" of "highly dangerous" boats and engines to smugglers operating in Belgium and northern France.

He called the arrest a milestone in one of the agency's "most significant investigations into organised immigration crime".

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the investigation showed the importance of working "with our international partners to get results".

"We will stop at nothing to root out criminal networks wherever we find them.”

More than 50 people have died trying to cross the English Channel in 2024.

Over 32,000 people have made the crossing in 2024 so far - more than the total figure of 29,437 for 2023.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced an extra £75m to police the UK’s borders in November, vowing to "treat people smugglers like terrorists".