CHANNEL CRISIS First small boat pilots jailed under new UK law as shocking footage shows them crammed on migrant dinghies in Channel

TWO small boat smugglers who steered packed migrant dinghies across the Channel have been jailed for endangering lives under a new law.

Afghan national Mohammad Tajik, 32, received two years in prison today for instigating the perilous journey earlier this year.

Shocking drone footage shows him piloting the dinghies packed with migrants – but sickeningly he abandoned the engine when he realised he had been identified.

The overloaded dinghy then lost power and drifted in circles, leaving 75 people stranded at sea.

He pleaded guilty to endangering lives at sea and arriving in the UK without valid entry clearance.

Sudanese national Alnour Ali, 26, who was pictured onboard wearing a pink hat was handed a 27-month term for a crossing in April.

Alnour pleaded guilty after piloting a separate small boat carrying 74 migrants into UK waters.

Both men were prosecuted under the new endangerment offence introduced in January under the Border Security Act.

Ministers today hailed their prison sentence as a “direct blow” to ruthless gangs who charge thousands of pounds to make the perilous crossing.

Home Office Minister Mike Tapp said: “This government is delivering a direct blow to the gangs by tracking down and jailing small boat pilots.
   
“We are using every lever at our disposal to make sure the criminals who bring illegal migrants to our shores face justice.

“Disruptions to smuggling activity including arrests, convictions and seizures are up by nearly 50 per cent and we won’t stop here.”

The offence carries a maximum prison sentence of six years and is designed to target those who recklessly endanger lives during illegal crossings.

Fourteen people have already been charged under the new law.

The convictions come despite thousands of migrants continuing to attempt the crossing each year after paying criminal gangs for a place on overcrowded boats.

Ministers say the sentences send a clear warning that those who facilitate dangerous Channel crossings will be tracked down, prosecuted and jailed.

Labour has pledged to cut Channel crossings since coming to power in 2024.

More than 73,000 migrants have crossed in small boats during that period.

So far this year, more than 9,000 people have made the journey, down 20 per cent compared to the same time last year.