Overview
- The National Crime Agency says arrests linked to people smuggling rose about 55% to roughly 300 in the year to April 2026.
- Organised immigration crime now accounts for about a quarter of the agency’s work, with roughly 100 high‑threat investigations active.
- The NCA reports 400 disruptions in 2025/26 and says joint work seized more than 500 boats and engines and removed over 10,000 online posts or accounts linked to smuggling.
- Operations have reached beyond Europe to places such as Iraq and Libya, and recent cases include Ahmed Ramadan Mohamad Ebid jailed for 25 years and supplier Adem Savas given 11 years.
- Government ministers hail the effort as the biggest crackdown on people smuggling, while critics say tougher policing has not yet reduced illegal crossings.