The individual, whom we will name Thanh, is currently applying for asylum in the UK and has informed us that he has been involved in the smuggling business for about 20 years, or his entire adult life.
He commanded a gang operating on the French north shore, served time in prison, and says he assisted over 1,000 individuals in risking their lives to cross the Channel.
The self-confessed criminal met with the news at a covert location to provide them with comprehensive details about the workings of the global smuggling industry.
Hanh enters the room warily, his black eyes darting around as though looking for ways out. A small, tidy, subtly commanding figure wearing a black polo shirt.
He says “hello” in a quiet, highly accented voice, and they shake hands. Beyond that, a Vietnamese translator is used for nearly all of our communication.
The interview takes place on a gray day in a small hotel room in a northern English town that we will not name here, following months of phone conversations and one quick meeting.
