NCA release footage after four arrested in investigation into small boats people smugglers

Four Vietnamese nationals have been arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in Deptford, Croydon and Leicester, as part of an investigation into alleged small boats people smugglers advertising crossings on Facebook.

NCA officers arrested a 23-year-old woman, Hoang My Tra Nguyen, at an address in Croydon, and a 64-year-old man, Hung Huan Dang, at an address in Deptford, on Monday morning. 

Hop Canh Nguyen, 34, from Leicester, was also arrested.

All three were arrested on suspicion of assisting unlawful immigration and questioned by NCA officers.  They were charged and appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

A 25-year-old man, Thuan Sy Tran, was also arrested by the NCA at the same address in Croydon, on a warrant issued by the French authorities, who allege he was involved in people smuggling and drug offences. 

He will now face extradition proceedings.

The group were allegedly involved in advertising illegal immigration into the UK in social media posts aimed at the Vietnamese community, charging migrants thousands of pounds to make the crossing.

The 64-year-old living in Deptford is accused of having acted as a driver, collecting migrants who arrived on small boats and on at least one occasion bringing them back to the Croydon address.

At the same time in France, another 12 individuals have been arrested in the Paris area, suspected of being linked to the same people smuggling network.

The arrests, which also happened on Monday, can only be reported now due to French legal restrictions being lifted.

NCA Director of Threat Leadership, Chris Farrimond, said: “People smuggling via small boats is extremely dangerous and the safety of those making the journey is of no concern for criminal groups who are exploiting them for profit.

“Migrants are often sold a dream of a better life and access to well-paid employment in the UK, but this is not the reality. 

“Vietnamese nationals now make up a large number of those we see arriving on small boats. 

Pictured top: A still from footage of Hoang My Tra Nguyen being arrested in Croydon (Picture: NCA)