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UK Imposes First-Ever Sanctions on Migrant Smuggling Networks

The measures freeze assets for 25 suspects under a new regime to disrupt trafficking funds.

Overview

  • On July 23 the UK froze assets and imposed travel bans on 25 individuals and organizations under its new sanctions regime.
  • The sanctions target Balkan and North African network leaders, hawala money operators in the Middle East, four criminal groups and a Chinese inflatable-boat manufacturer.
  • Small-boat crossings of the English Channel have exceeded 23,500 this year with at least 17 deaths recorded in dangerous journeys.
  • The sanctions rollout builds on a March global summit on migrant smuggling, an EU-pending France-UK repatriation agreement and an immigration overhaul introduced in May.
  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to dismantle smuggling gangs under rising pressure from Reform UK over record Channel arrivals.