German human smuggling network linked to English Channel crossings, with Essen as a hub.

A BBC investigation has uncovered a significant German link to the human smuggling trade across the English Channel, particularly centered in Essen. Smugglers are offering perilous packages costing €15,000 (£12,500) for inflatable dinghies, outboard motors, and life jackets. This year has seen over 28,000 crossings, marking it as the deadliest yet. Legal loopholes allow smuggling to the UK, a non-EU country post-Brexit, complicating enforcement efforts.