Undercover BBC Reporter Encounters Smuggler Offering “Fast Track” Channel Crossings

A Vietnamese individual involved in human smuggling appeared, momentarily and with hesitation, from the obscured edges of a sparse forest situated near the northern French coast. He instructed, “Move away from the others. Come this way, fast,” while indicating a disused railway line to a BBC team member, who had spent several weeks operating undercover as a prospective client. Shortly thereafter, the smuggler, described as a tall person with conspicuously dyed blonde hair, abruptly turned and disappeared along a narrow track into the woodland, resembling a startled fox. In the earlier part of this year, Vietnam unexpectedly became the primary origin country for new migrants attempting to unlawfully cross the Channel to the UK via small boats. The number of arrivals dramatically increased from 1,306 throughout 2023 to 2,248 during the initial six months of 2024. The BBC’s investigation, which involved discussions with Vietnamese smugglers and their clients, French law enforcement, legal officials, and charitable organizations, uncovers that Vietnamese migrants are paying twice the standard fee for an “elite” small boat smuggling service, characterized by its speed and efficiency. With the Channel’s death toll reaching an unprecedented high this year, there are suggestions that this premium service might also offer increased safety. In the course of efforts to infiltrate Vietnamese smuggling networks, the BBC team encountered a seasoned smuggler active in the UK, who creates counterfeit documents for migrants aiming to enter Europe. Independently, an undercover reporter, acting as a Vietnamese migrant, used phone calls and text messages to arrange a meeting with a smuggling group operating in the forests near Dunkirk, with the objective of understanding their methods. The smuggler, identifying himself as Bac, responded via text message, stating, “A small boat service is £2,600. Payment to be made after you arrive in the UK.” Comparable prices were reported by other informants. The BBC suspects Bac might hold a high-ranking position within a UK-based gang and could be the leader of Tony, the blonde-haired individual observed in the woods. Bac had provided details regarding the route from Europe to the UK, outlining how numerous migrants initially fly from Vietnam to Hungary. In Hungary, it is understood to be comparatively straightforward for them to acquire a legitimate work visa, frequently secured with falsified documents. Bac indicated that these migrants subsequently proceed to Paris and then to Dunkirk. In a subsequent text message, he proposed, “Tony can pick you up at the [Dunkirk] station.” Vietnamese migrants are broadly perceived as susceptible to exploitation by human trafficking networks. These organizations might aim to ensnare them in financial obligations and compel them to settle these debts by laboring in cannabis cultivation sites or other enterprises within the UK. Observations from multiple recent visits to migrant camps near Dunkirk and Calais indicate that Vietnamese gangs and their clientele maintain a distinct operational separation from other groups. Claire Millot, a volunteer for Salam, an NGO assisting migrants in Dunkirk, noted, “They keep to themselves and are much more discreet than the others. We see them very little.” A representative from a different charitable organization recounted recently observing approximately 30 Vietnamese individuals purchasing life jackets at a Decathlon store in Dunkirk, an uncommon sight. Beyond their self-imposed separation, the efficient service provided by Vietnamese gangs significantly reduces the time migrants spend waiting in camps. Numerous African and Middle Eastern migrants endure weeks, or even months, in harsh conditions along the French coastline. Some lack sufficient funds for a spot on a small boat and endeavor to earn their passage by working for smuggling groups. Many are apprehended by French police on the beaches and must make multiple attempts before successfully traversing the Channel. During a recent visit, dozens of exhausted families from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Eritrea, and other nations were observed congregating in the rain at a muddy location where humanitarian organizations offer daily sustenance and medical aid. Children were playing Connect 4 at a picnic table, and a man was receiving care for an arm injury. Several parents informed the BBC that they had learned of a four-month-old Kurdish boy who drowned the preceding night when his boat overturned during a Channel crossing attempt. Not one parent indicated that this fatality would deter them from undertaking their own journey. No Vietnamese individuals were visible. It appears evident that Vietnamese smugglers typically transport their clients to the northern French camps only when weather conditions are favorable and a crossing is about to occur. The BBC team first observed the recent surge of Vietnamese migrants earlier this year, discovering one of their encampments near Dunkirk. This camp seemed considerably tidier and better structured than other migrant sites, featuring identical tents arranged in neat rows and a group preparing an appealing and complex meal with fried garlic, onions, and Vietnamese spices. Mathilde Potel, the French police chief leading efforts against illegal migration in the area, commented, “They’re very organised and united and stay together in the camps. They’re quite something. When they arrive at the coast, we know that a crossing will be done very quickly. These are most likely people with more money than others.” Vietnamese groups do not manage the small boat crossings directly; these operations are primarily supervised by a few Iraqi Kurdish gangs. Instead, the Vietnamese negotiate access and scheduling. Another Vietnamese smuggler, identified as Thanh, currently residing in the UK, stated, “The Vietnamese are not allowed to touch that part of the process [the crossing]. We just deliver clients to [the Kurdish gangs].” He explained that the additional payment guarantees preferential access to small boats for their Vietnamese clients. Although the comparative costs are evident, the matter of safety remains less clear. It is a notable fact that throughout the initial nine months of 2024, no Vietnamese individual was among the many migrants confirmed to have perished attempting to cross the Channel. However, in October, a Vietnamese migrant did die in a single incident, contributing to what is now the deadliest year on record for small boat crossings. It is conceivable that by paying a premium, Vietnamese migrants gain entry to less congested boats, thereby reducing the likelihood of capsizing. Nevertheless, this hypothesis has not been substantiated. What appears more certain is that Vietnamese smugglers exercise prudence regarding dispatching their clients on boats during adverse weather. Text messages from Bac to the undercover reporter contained precise recommendations concerning travel to the camp and the optimal arrival day. Bac texted, “Running a small boat service depends on the weather. You need small waves. And it must be safe… We had good weather earlier this week and lots of boats left… It would be good if you can be here [in Dunkirk] tomorrow. I’m planning a [cross-Channel] move on Thursday morning.” Earlier this month, two young men, seated outside their tents in two distinct camps within the woods near Dunkirk, recounted nearly identical narratives concerning the circumstances that led them to depart Vietnam in pursuit of new lives. They described borrowing funds to establish small businesses in Vietnam, the subsequent failure of these ventures, and their further borrowing from family members and informal lenders to finance their journey to the UK through smugglers. Tu, 26, stated, while reaching to pet a passing kitten, “Life in Vietnam is difficult. I couldn’t find a proper job. I tried to open a shop, but it failed. I was unable to pay back the loan, so I must find a way to earn money. I know this [is illegal] but I have no other option. I owe [the Vietnamese equivalent of] £50,000. I sold my house, but it wasn’t enough to pay off the debt.” From behind another tent, two chickens appeared. A mirror was suspended from a nearby tree, and electrical outlets for phone charging were accessible beneath a distinct awning. The second migrant, aged 27, detailed his journey to Europe, which involved travel through China, at times on foot or in lorries. The man, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated, “I heard from my friends in the UK that life is much better there, and I can find a way to make some money.” The question of whether these individuals are victims of human trafficking remains unresolved. Every Vietnamese migrant interviewed by the BBC reported being in debt. If their situation led them to work for smuggling gangs in the UK to cover their travel costs and settle their debts, they would, in fact, be considered trafficked. The BBC team had attempted to entice the blonde-haired Vietnamese smuggler, Tony, from a nearby forest to a more open area, where his group—potentially armed, as other gangs are known to be—might present a reduced risk. The intention was to challenge him regarding his participation in a profitable and frequently lethal criminal enterprise. However, Tony was reluctant to depart his established “turf” and became agitated and annoyed when the colleague, still pretending to be a prospective migrant, refused to enter the forest with him. Tony commanded, “Why are you staying there? Follow that path. Move quickly! Now.” A short silence ensued. Birdsong was audible across the open space. With increasing frustration, the smuggler inquired, “What an idiot… Do you just want to stand there and get caught by the police?” Subsequently, he turned and withdrew into the woods. If the colleague had been an actual migrant, she would likely have complied with Tony’s instruction. Other sources informed the BBC that migrants, once inside the camps, were prohibited from leaving without paying hundreds of dollars to the smugglers. While Vietnamese gangs might promise a swift, secure, “elite” passage to the UK, the actual situation is considerably more grim—a criminal operation supported by intimidation, entailing fatal dangers, and offering no assurance of success. Further reporting was contributed by Kathy Long and Léa Guedj. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding the BBC’s policy on external linking is available.