The National Crime Agency has issued a warning to lorry drivers and haulage firms following a surge in people-smuggling arrests in Kent. According to the agency, organised criminal groups are actively trying to recruit drivers to transport migrants in and out of the UK, promising them a supposedly “low-risk” way to earn extra money.
In reality, those caught face life-changing consequences. Between July and October this year, nine lorry drivers were arrested in Kent for people-smuggling offences. One of the most serious cases involved 49-year-old Romanian driver Iona Monescu, who was stopped at Dover in August after 44 Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals were discovered in his trailer. He was sentenced to three years in prison in September.
“We know these crime gangs are actively trying to recruit drivers to work for them, promising them a supposedly low-risk way of making extra money. In fact, it is anything but,” said Craig Turner, NCA Deputy Director of Investigations. “Those who do get caught risk a life-changing prison sentence. It simply isn’t worth the risk.”
The agency says gangs often contact drivers through social media or personal networks, offering thousands of pounds per journey. In some cases, drivers knowingly helped load migrants into trailers; in others, they left vehicles unlocked in arranged locations to allow entry.
Poster by the National Crime Agency
A pattern of convictions across the UK
Recent NCA cases show the scale of the issue. In July this year, seven members of a people-smuggling network were sentenced to between seven and thirteen years in prison for organising crossings from the UK to France, with five HGV drivers among those convicted.
In another investigation, London-based organiser Md Moktar Hossain was jailed for more than ten years in 2023, alongside seven drivers who assisted his group. Meanwhile, another network accused of smuggling Afghan nationals is due to stand trial in January, with the vehicle’s driver among the defendants.
According to Turner, many of the same drivers and methods are used both to bring people into the UK and to move them out again:
“For them, this is a business, and like any other haulier they don’t want to ‘run empty’ while returning to the continent.”
The NCA currently has around 100 investigations under way into criminal groups using trucks to move migrants.
Heavy penalties for both drivers and operators
Under the Immigration Act 1971, those who knowingly assist illegal entry into the UK can face up to 14 years in prison and unlimited fines. Vehicles used in the crime may also be confiscated.
Even when drivers are unaware of clandestine entrants, they and their employers can still be fined under the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme (CECPS), strengthened by the Home Office in 2023. The scheme allows for:
- Up to £10,000 per migrant found in a vehicle;
- Up to £6,000 if a vehicle is judged insufficiently secured, even when no migrants are discovered.
The 2023 update replaced the previous £2,000 limit and removed the automatic waiver that once applied when a driver could prove due diligence. Instead, proof of proper checks now only reduces the penalty.
Industry bodies such as Logistics UK and the Road Haulage Association have criticised the system, warning that conscientious operators can still face large fines despite taking precautions.
How hauliers can protect themselves
To avoid penalties and reduce risk, hauliers are advised to follow the Home Office Vehicle Security Checklist, introduced as part of the 2023 reforms. Key measures include:
- Checking and recording all locks, seals and straps before and after every stop.
- Inspecting under-vehicle areas, roofs and compartments for signs of tampering.
- Keeping detailed written and digital records of each security check and seal number.
- Verifying all accompanying documentation before crossing the Channel.
- Avoiding unsupervised parking near high-risk ports such as Calais, Coquelles and Dunkerque.
- Providing regular training for drivers on preventing clandestine entry.
- Reporting suspicious approaches or offers to Crimestoppers (0800 555 111) or the police.
Failure to follow these steps can lead to fines even if a driver is unaware of stowaways.
A warning for haulage business owners
For entrepreneurs in the logistics sector, the message is clear: the financial and reputational risks far outweigh any potential reward. A single incident can lead to thousands of pounds in fines, loss of operator licence, or even imprisonment.
Turner said most in the industry are law-abiding but urged vigilance:
“I would urge anyone who is approached or becomes aware of this type of activity to report it. The chances of getting caught are high — and the consequences are severe.”
The NCA continues to run awareness campaigns with Border Force and Crimestoppers, reminding drivers and operators that cooperation with smuggling gangs is not only illegal but also endangers lives.
