A Turkish man believed to be a primary supplier of small boats and engines to people smugglers has been arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in a coordinated operation involving the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and police from the Netherlands and Belgium. The 44-year-old suspect, who has not been publicly named, is accused of supplying essential equipment to smuggling operations in northern France, aiding illegal crossings of the English Channel.

The suspect’s arrest came on Wednesday as authorities tracked him traveling from Turkey to the Netherlands. He now faces extradition to Belgium, where he will be charged with human smuggling, according to the NCA. Authorities allege he operated a supply chain extending from Turkey, where he sourced engines and boats, through Germany for storage, and ultimately to northern France, where the equipment was allegedly handed over to smuggling networks.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised the arrest as a “significant piece of the jigsaw” in efforts to curb dangerous Channel crossings. However, he acknowledged that the fight against illegal immigration and people smuggling would require sustained, multifaceted measures. “I’m not pretending this is the silver bullet,” Starmer stated, emphasizing that additional actions would be necessary to meaningfully impact the volume of Channel crossings.

The arrest represents what the NCA has described as a milestone in its ongoing battle against organized immigration crime. NCA Director General for Operations Rob Jones called the suspect a “major supplier” of equipment used in risky and illegal Channel crossings and highlighted the operation as one of the agency’s most significant efforts in tackling immigration-related organized crime. The NCA is currently leading around 70 investigations into high-ranking networks and individuals involved in human trafficking or illegal immigration.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also highlighted the significance of international collaboration, attributing the success of the arrest to joint efforts between the NCA and European partners. “The excellent work of the UK’s National Crime Agency has been critical to this. We will stop at nothing to root out criminal networks wherever we find them,” she said.

The UK government has recently escalated its approach to people smuggling, with Sir Keir Starmer announcing an additional £75 million to strengthen border policing and pledging to treat human traffickers “like terrorists.” This arrest, Starmer said, demonstrated the effectiveness of partnering with international agencies to dismantle smuggling networks.

The development follows a high-profile conviction in the UK last week. Amanj Hasan Zada, an Iranian national residing in Lancashire, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for operating what the NCA described as a “sophisticated enterprise” facilitating Channel crossings. Zada, who had gained notoriety for promoting his services on Facebook, was deemed one of the “best smugglers” by prosecutors, underscoring the profitable nature of this dangerous trade.

The issue of Channel crossings remains urgent, with more than 32,000 people making the journey so far in 2024 — a number that has already exceeded the total for 2023. Tragically, over 50 people have died attempting the perilous crossing this year, highlighting the deadly risks associated with the people smuggling trade. The UK government’s latest steps, coupled with high-profile arrests, reflect a renewed determination to address this ongoing crisis.