People-Smuggling Boss Says the UK Will Never Stop the Boats Because of One Major Reason Keeping His Business Going
A suspected people-smuggling kingpin has dismissed the UK Government’s latest plans to crack down on illegal migration, claiming that the number of people wanting to reach Britain is simply too high for smugglers to stop operating.
He also made shocking claims that members of his criminal network receive information from people working inside government and border agencies, helping them avoid police checks and continue moving migrants across Europe and into the UK.
The Afghan smuggler, who used the name “Haji Ajmal” to protect his real identity, spoke from a secret location in Turkey. During the interview, he claimed he has spent around 15 years helping migrants travel illegally across Europe and into Britain.
Despite repeated promises from UK politicians to stop the small boats crisis, he insisted that the smuggling business continues to grow because so many people are desperate to leave countries affected by war, violence and instability.
His comments come as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood prepares to announce major changes to the UK’s asylum system. The Government says the new measures are designed to stop people abusing immigration laws and to make it easier to remove those who have no legal right to remain in the country.
The planned reforms are also expected to tighten the use of human rights laws and make it harder for failed asylum seekers to delay deportation by making last-minute legal claims.
However, the smuggler claimed he has heard similar promises from politicians for many years and believes little has changed on the ground. He said his organisation is not worried about the latest announcements because they have continued operating despite previous crackdowns. According to him, politicians regularly promise tough action before elections but often fail to deliver once they are in power.
One of the most alarming claims he made was that his network receives confidential information from people working in government departments and border agencies.
He alleged that some individuals are paid to provide advance warnings about police operations, border checks and security activity. He claimed these contacts alert smugglers whenever there are increased inspections or enforcement operations, allowing them to adjust their plans and avoid being caught.
He also suggested that this type of cooperation is not limited to the UK. According to him, similar contacts exist in other European countries, particularly around border regions, where corrupt individuals allegedly pass on information in exchange for money. These claims have not been independently verified, but they raise serious questions about the methods used by organised criminal gangs.
Ajmal insisted that the biggest reason his business continues is because demand remains extremely high. He said thousands of people, especially from countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Palestine, are desperate to reach Europe in search of safety and a better future.
He claimed many migrants specifically choose Britain because they believe they will receive better treatment, including accommodation and financial support while their asylum claims are processed.
He added that many families encourage relatives to travel to the UK because of stories they hear from others who have already arrived. According to him, these beliefs continue to encourage more people to attempt the dangerous journey, despite the risks involved.
The smuggler admitted that crossing the English Channel in small boats is dangerous but claimed that the greatest risk is faced by the migrants rather than the criminal gangs organising the crossings. He said smugglers simply offer different travel options and allow customers to choose the route they want to take.
He explained that his organisation provides several ways for migrants to enter the UK. Some are transported in small boats across the English Channel, while others are allegedly hidden inside lorries travelling into Britain. He claimed that every route has a different price depending on the level of risk, the distance involved and the method of transport.
According to him, his criminal network has teams based in several countries. He said people in France receive migrants before arranging the next stage of their journey. They reportedly monitor weather conditions, security patrols and border activity before deciding when it is safest to launch boats or move people using other methods.
Ajmal also admitted that people-smuggling is a highly profitable business, although he claimed there are also significant costs involved in running such a large operation. Even so, he made it clear that he has no plans to stop, saying demand continues to increase as more people flee conflict and instability around the world.
The UK Government is continuing its efforts to tackle illegal migration. Alongside the planned asylum reforms, ministers have promised to increase deportations, strengthen border security and work more closely with European countries to break up organised criminal gangs involved in people smuggling.
Despite those efforts, official figures show that only a small proportion of the more than 200,000 people who have crossed the English Channel in small boats since 2018 have been removed from the UK.
Criminal gangs have also adapted their methods, expanding launch points beyond the traditional areas around Calais and Dunkirk into other parts of the French and Belgian coastline. Authorities have also reported evidence that some smugglers are once again using lorries to move migrants into Britain after changes to border enforcement.
The Home Office hopes the latest reforms will make it much harder for people-smuggling gangs to profit from illegal migration and reduce the number of dangerous Channel crossings.
However, the comments made by the suspected gang leader highlight the challenge authorities continue to face in dismantling sophisticated criminal networks operating across several countries.
