A self-confessed Albanian people smuggler has claimed the Government could “easily” stop small boats crossing the English Channel but chooses not to because Britain needs the migrant workforce.
The anonymous trafficker, who says he earned around £400,000 from the illegal trade before quitting earlier this year, told the Daily Express that authorities are deliberately allowing crossings to continue despite having the means to halt them.
His explosive claims come as official figures show more than 50,000 migrants have crossed the Channel since Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister in July 2024, with 2025 on track to be a record-breaking year.
‘Government Could Stop This Flow’
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the alleged smuggler made the extraordinary claim that British authorities are complicit in allowing the dangerous crossings to continue.
I say that because if the Government and police wanted to stop this flow of immigrants, they can do it. I don’t believe that the UK lacks the means to stop this type of thing from happening. But I think the UK needs this flow of immigrants, they need this kind of labour force,” he told the Daily Express.
The smuggler dismissed immigrants as Britain’s “main problem”, claiming the country is “not experiencing a good situation politically and financially” and suggesting other issues are more pressing.
His claims echo long-standing conspiracy theories about governments deliberately allowing illegal immigration, though authorities strongly deny such allegations.
Known Routes ‘Could Be Tracked’
The trafficker revealed that dinghies depart from “known” routes along the French coast which he claimed could easily be monitored and intercepted by authorities.
The people smuggler explained that dinghy boats are departing the French coast from ‘known’ routes which could be tracked,” suggesting law enforcement agencies on both sides of the Channel are aware of launch points.
Despite this insider knowledge, crossings have continued unabated, with 28,288 people making the journey to Britain in small boats so far this year – 46 per cent higher than the same period in 2024.
On Sunday, August 24 alone, 212 people crossed in multiple boats, adding to what the Home Office has called an “unacceptable” situation.
£400,000 from Social Media Advertising
The Albanian admitted to earning approximately £400,000 from his involvement in the smuggling trade, using social media platforms to advertise crossings before quitting the business earlier this year.
His revelations come as the Government prepares new legislation making advertising Channel crossings on social media punishable by up to five years in prison.
Recent investigations have revealed Albanian smuggling networks openly advertising “package deals” on TikTok, promising accommodation and employment upon arrival in Britain for fees starting at £2,500.
Dismisses Starmer’s ‘Smash the Gangs’ Pledge
The smuggler was scathing about Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s flagship promise to “smash the gangs” behind Channel crossings.
The man also dismissed Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to ‘smash the gangs’, saying it would need ‘more than the effort of a single country’ to solve the problem.
His scepticism appears justified as official figures show crossings have increased significantly since Labour took power, with more arrivals in the first half of 2025 than any previous year on record.
Record Numbers Under Labour
The damning statistics reveal the scale of Labour’s failure to control Channel crossings:
- Over 50,000 migrants have crossed since July 2024 when Starmer became PM
- 28,288 crossings so far in 2025 – the worst start to any year on record
- Crossings are 46% higher than the same period in 2024
- 111,084 asylum applications in the year to June 2025 – the highest since records began in 2001
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has admitted the delays in processing claims are “completely unacceptable”, with appeals taking an average of more than a year to resolve.
£5.4 Billion Annual Cost
The asylum system’s spiralling costs have reached unprecedented levels, with taxpayers now footing a bill of £5.4 billion annually.
Hotel accommodation alone costs approximately £8 million per day, with 32,059 asylum seekers housed in hotels by the end of June 2025.
Labour has promised to end hotel use by 2029, but faces mounting pressure as the backlog of 90,812 people awaiting initial decisions continues to strain the system.
‘Hopeless Girls and Boys’
The smuggler defended his former trade, branding protests outside migrant hotels as “laughable” and describing his passengers as desperate people seeking better lives.
I don’t think a woman with a toddler can be considered a criminal,” he said, characterising migrants as “hopeless girls and boys risking their life” for a “better future.
His comments come amid growing public anger over the crisis, with recent polling showing immigration remains a top concern for British voters across all political parties.
Government Response
The Home Office requested details of the alleged smuggler but he refused to cooperate beyond the anonymous interview.
A spokesman defended the Government’s approach, stating: “In addition to launching the new Border Security Command, we have enhanced the operational strength of both the National Crime Agency and Immigration Enforcement – substantially increasing enforcement activity.
The spokesman claimed this had produced “a 40 per cent increase in disruptions of organised immigration crime networks in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24″ within the National Crime Agency.
New Border Security Bill
The Government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, promises tougher penalties for smuggling offences and enhanced powers for law enforcement.
The legislation aims to create a framework for the new Border Security Command, backed by £75 million, using “counter-terror style powers” to combat smuggling networks.
However, critics note the Bill does little to address the fundamental issues driving crossings or speed up the processing of asylum claims that has created the massive backlog.
Deaths at Record High
The human cost of Channel crossings reached devastating new heights in 2024, with 73 confirmed deaths – more than in all previous years combined.
A total of 152 people have died attempting the crossing between 2018 and June 2025, with boats now carrying an average of 53 people compared to just 13 in 2020.
The smuggler’s claims that authorities could stop these dangerous journeys but choose not to will likely fuel further anger among those demanding action to prevent more tragedies.
The Albanian trafficker’s explosive allegations raise serious questions about the Government’s commitment to stopping Channel crossings, even as the death toll mounts and costs spiral out of control.
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