Vietnamese truck deaths: dozens arrested in Belgium and France over human trafficking that left 39 dead in Britain
- The victims came from impoverished villages in Vietnam and are believed to have paid smugglers to take them on the risky journey to better lives abroad
- The 13 people arrested in France are suspected of housing and transporting several dozen migrants from Southeast Asia every day for several months
Judicial authorities said a series of early morning raids took place simultaneously in Belgium and France on Tuesday as part of two legal investigations.
One inquiry was launched following the investigation into the deaths of the 39 migrants found in October inside a truck’s refrigerated container that had been hauled to England.
Why are so many Vietnamese risking their lives with human traffickers to reach the UK?
Last month, the truck driver pleaded guilty to manslaughter at a London court.
In Belgium, the federal public prosecutor’s office said the investigation quickly established the route taken by the victims before they got into the truck and said some of them had stayed in Belgium before their departure.
Tuesday’s large police operation was organised with a transborder investigation team coordinated by the European Union crime agency Eurojust that included Belgium, France, Britain and Ireland.
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Sixteen searches took place on Tuesday in the Brussels area, including in safe houses, leading to the arrest of 11 Vietnamese citizens and two Moroccans. Five of them have been charged with migrant smuggling with aggravating circumstances, belonging to a criminal organisation and forgery.
Eurojust said five migrants were found during the Belgian raids.
The suspected smugglers face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to €150,000 (US$162,000) per identified victim.
