Key facts
- Twenty-five inflatable boats capable of carrying 1,700 illegal migrants were seized in Bulgaria.
- The seizures occurred last week at the Lesovo border crossing.
- Five boats were intercepted on June 24, and 20 more on June 26.
- The boats were being shipped to people smuggling gangs operating in the English Channel.
- Germany is a known storage location and staging post for people smuggling equipment.
- The NCA estimates the boats could have transported over 1,700 people to the UK.
Bulgarian customs officers, in collaboration with the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and Home Office International Operations, have seized 25 inflatable boats that were intended for use by people smuggling gangs. The interceptions occurred last week at the Lesovo border crossing. Five boats were found on June 24 in a lorry attempting to enter Bulgaria, followed by a further 20 boats in another lorry two days later. These boats were being shipped to Germany, which the NCA identifies as a common storage and staging location for such equipment. The NCA estimates that had these boats reached the English Channel, they could have been used to transport over 1,700 individuals to the UK.
Kenny Dron, NCA International Head of Region, highlighted Bulgaria's crucial role in disrupting the supply chains of people smuggling networks. He emphasized that these seizures impact criminal groups by making it harder and more costly to acquire equipment, ultimately preventing dangerous, unseaworthy vessels from being used in the Channel. Dron noted that the NCA, working with international partners, has seized over 1,000 boats and engines since early 2023, with more than 500 seized in 2025.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, stated that these efforts have prevented thousands of potential crossings. He added that the government is focused on restoring border control by targeting the supply of small boat equipment and dismantling criminal gangs' business models, noting a nearly 50% increase in disruptions to criminal smuggling activity, including arrests, convictions, and seizures.