Van driver jailed for smuggling migrants into UK in East Sussex

Anas Al Mustafa, a 43-year-old van driver originally from Syria, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for smuggling seven Vietnamese migrants into the UK. The incident occurred during a ferry crossing from Dieppe to Newhaven in February, where the migrants were discovered hidden in a concealed compartment of the van. They were found in dire conditions, suffering from dehydration and lack of oxygen, with two of them having lost consciousness by the time they were rescued. Emergency services responded promptly, with ambulances and police attending the scene. During the trial, Al Mustafa claimed he was unaware of the migrants' presence in the vehicle, stating he was shocked by the discovery. However, evidence presented in court indicated that he was motivated by financial gain, having been paid £5,000 for the job. He had previously driven the same van for an MOT and was introduced to a man named Badr, who arranged for him to transport the vehicle back to the UK. The court heard that the migrants were forced to stand in a cramped space for hours, with no access to food, water, or clean air. Dame Angela Eagle, the minister for border security, condemned Al Mustafa's actions, labeling him an 'evil criminal' and highlighting the miraculous survival of the migrants given their harrowing ordeal. The judge emphasized the significant risks posed to the lives of the individuals involved. This case underscores the ongoing issue of human trafficking and the dangers faced by migrants seeking to enter the UK. It raises important questions about border security and the lengths to which individuals will go for financial gain, often at the expense of vulnerable lives.