Boats bound for people smugglers that can carry up to 1,700 illegal immigrants across the Channel are seized at UK airport

Published: 07:34 EDT, 6 October 2026 | Updated: 07:42 EDT, 6 October 2026 Twenty-five inflatable boats capable of carrying up to 1,700 illegal immigrants across the Channel have been seized by Border Force and the National Crime Agency at a UK airport.The nine metre long vessels were intercepted at East Midlands Airport after intelligence officers identified them hidden in pallets aboard an air freight shipment travelling from Turkey to the Netherlands.The consignment passed through the airport's freight hub, allowing NCA and Border Force officers to swoop and seize the boats on October 2.Each inflatable could have carried around 70 people across the Channel had it reached the hands of people smugglers.The operation marks the first time a major consignment of small-boat equipment destined for Channel crossings has been detected in air freight.It is the second major haul of equipment intercepted by British authorities this year.In July, officers seized another 25 boats along with 25 engines from a maritime consignment at the port of Felixstowe in Suffolk. The vessel carrying the equipment had stopped at the British port while travelling towards Germany. Twenty-five inflatable boats capable of carrying up to 1,700 illegal immigrants across the Channel have been seized by Border Force The nine metre long vessels were intercepted at East Midlands Airport after intelligence officers identified them hidden in pallets aboard an air freight shipmentThe latest seizure comes as authorities step up efforts to disrupt the supply chains feeding the criminal gangs behind small-boat crossings.Craig Turner, NCA Deputy Director of Investigations, said: 'We continue to target groups or individuals directly involved in the supply of boats and engines used in the Channel for people smuggling.'This work is happening both overseas, with international partners, and here in the UK. So far it has led to the seizure of in excess of 1,600 boats and engines, denying their use to criminal networks.'Our assessment is that this is having an impact, driving up the cost of boats and engines, making it more difficult to get them to the coast and eating into the profits of the criminal gangs involved.'I've no doubt the boats we've seized here would have ended up being used to risk the lives of a huge number of people in the Channel had we not stepped in. Our investigation continues.'The NCA currently has around 100 investigations into organised immigration crime ongoing as it attempts to target, disrupt and dismantle smuggling networks.An assessment published by the agency last month found that restrictions on the supply of boats and engines had become a key factor affecting organised crime groups involved in Channel crossings.It also concluded that law enforcement activity had played a key role in reducing the number of people being transported illegally to Britain by small boat during the first half of 2026. It is the second major haul of equipment intercepted by British authorities this year Each inflatable could have carried around 70 people across the Channel had it reached the hands of people smugglers The operation marks the first time a major consignment of small-boat equipment destined for Channel crossings has been detected in air freightNCA-linked arrests for organised immigration crime rose by more than 55 per cent in the year to April 2026, according to the agency.Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Anna Turley, said: 'This seizure of 25 small boats delivers yet another blow to the evil smuggling gangs.'Disruptions to supply lines like these are happening more than ever before as we bear down on the illegal and dangerous crossings.'We are making progress, with this summer seeing the lowest number of small boat arrivals since 2020 and arrests for immigration crime up 74 per cent on the previous year.'We will continue to be relentless as we restore control to our border.'Despite the disruption campaign, thousands of migrants continue to attempt the dangerous journey across the Channel.Official figures show that 19,869 migrants are known to have made the crossing so far this year, in almost 300 boats.The NCA says the latest seizure demonstrates the importance of targeting the equipment supply chain before boats reach the coast and are put into the hands of people smugglers.