Taha, a key figure in a vast smuggling network, reveals the perilous nature of his work, driven by the lucrative business of transporting migrants from France to the UK.
He candidly explains that carrying a gun is essential in his line of work due to frequent violent turf wars over control of the profitable migration routes. "You can't do this job without a gun," he asserts, describing how disagreements are often settled with bullets.
Taha's operations have been highly profitable as he earned over £800,000 last year by launching 12 dinghies, each carrying 45 to 50 migrants. Each migrant pays around £1,500 for the dangerous journey across the English Channel. The high demand for these crossings, especially from April to November, fuels his business.
Taha is part of a larger network where logistics are managed by others who transport dinghies from Turkey to Germany, then to France. His role begins when migrants arrive in Dunkirk, facilitated by friends or relatives. Their crossing fees are held by intermediaries and released once they safely reach Britain.
Despite the profits, Taha faces significant risks. The cost of boats, ranging from 13,000 to 14,000 euros, means any loss due to sinking or intervention by French authorities hits him financially. Additionally, he bears responsibility for the migrants' safety, although he admits that some have drowned when dinghies capsised.
Organised crime's inherent violence has intensified with turf wars over the migration routes. Taha describes frequent confrontations involving pistols, knives, and AK47s, often resulting in injuries and deaths. Despite numerous attempts on his life, he remains entrenched in this dangerous profession.
Taha acknowledges the fatal risks of his job, stating it’s a "death sentence." Despite this, he is unable to leave the industry he has been part of for years. "I want to give up but can't stay away from this work," he admits.
As authorities attempt to curb the illegal crossings, smugglers like Taha continue to adapt, finding new routes and methods to sustain their multi-billion-pound trade, undeterred by the risks to their lives and the lives of the people transport.
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