Man Jailed for Supplying Thousands of Channel Small Boats to Gangs
A man who supplied thousands of small boats and engines to people smugglers in the English Channel has been jailed. Adem Savas, previously the National Crime Agency's most wanted man, was described as the "most significant supplier" to gangs behind the dangerous crossings between 2019 and 2024.
The Turkish national was sentenced to 11 years in prison and fined €400,000 (£346,000) on Wednesday after admitting to people smuggling and organized crime. The NCA estimated he made millions from the operation, charging around £4,000 for boat and engine packages.
Savas is believed to have supplied equipment for about half of all crossings in 2023, making him a key figure in the European people smuggling hierarchy. He was arrested at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport in November 2024 and sentenced at a Belgian court in Bruges.
His involvement was uncovered during an investigation into Hewa Rahimpur, a Kurdish national who led a smuggling ring responsible for moving over 10,000 migrants to the UK in small boats. Savas was identified as Rahimpur's key supplier of boats and engines.
NCA's Rob Jones stated that Savas's supplies were likely involved in fatal Channel events. He pretended to run a legitimate business but knew the equipment's misuse. Jones emphasized the unsuitability of the equipment for long sea crossings.
Border Security Minister Alex Norris praised the UK's efforts to crack down on human smuggling, applauding officers for apprehending the smuggling kingpin. Home Office figures revealed a record 41,472 migrants crossed the Channel in 2025, the highest since 2022.
These crossings have become the most common illegal entry method since 2020, with at least 84 deaths in 2024, according to the UN. Experts attribute the increased risks to overcrowding on boats.
