A BBC undercover investigation has exposed a violent and highly organised people-smuggling gang operating across northern France and the UK. The gang, led by Iraqi-Kurds Jabal, Aram, and al-Millah, is responsible for transporting migrants across the English Channel in small boats, often risking lives for profit, according to BBC.

Posing as a migrant, a BBC reporter accessed the gang’s hideout, revealing armed turf wars, hidden camps, and smugglers promising “safe” crossings despite deadly risks. In one failed launch in April 2024, five people died, including a 7-year-old girl.

The gang changes names and phone numbers to stay ahead of police, with key figures managing logistics from France, Belgium, and Iraq. Some members even claim asylum in the UK after escorting migrants.

Despite joint UK-French efforts and new border enforcement measures, including a “one-in, one-out” return policy, officials say smugglers remain a step ahead—fuelled by high profits and growing demand, BBC reported.