A people smuggler from Wolverhampton who bragged about moving up to 60 individuals per week out of the UK to France has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison.
The Smuggling Operation
Jaskirat Singh, 25, orchestrated the illegal transport of non-British nationals across the English Channel using clandestine methods between December 2024 and March 2026. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed that Singh made approximately £185,000 from his criminal enterprise.
Singh's operation was uncovered when 11 Indian nationals were discovered hiding in a lorry trailer at Dover in December 2024. Further investigations led authorities to Singh after four more Indian nationals were found in another lorry heading to France in January 2025.
Evidence and Bragging
Immigration Enforcement officers seized Singh's mobile devices, uncovering a wealth of incriminating evidence, including voice notes, images, and videos. Some images were saved from TikTok, advertising crossings to France. A video likely filmed by Singh showed a large number of £20 notes spread on a bed, while another video showed migrants disembarking from a lorry with the caption "UK to France."
In a voice message, Singh boasted about successfully arranging for up to 60 people to be driven to France every week over nine months, though it remains unclear if he was exaggerating to attract more business.
Court Proceedings
Singh pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration to a member state. He was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on June 18. The CPS confirmed it will seek a confiscation order to recover his criminal profits.
Peter Cockrill from the CPS stated: "Jaskirat Singh played a key role in organising the illegal movement of people from the UK to France using lorries, putting individuals at serious risk in the process. The evidence showed he was coordinating drivers, arranging payments and actively involved in a sustained operation over many months. We will now apply for a confiscation order to recover as much of his criminal profit as possible."
The CPS continues to collaborate with partners in the UK and internationally to disrupt organised immigration crime groups responsible for small boat crossings.
