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Germany raids seize smuggling equipment under 2025 migrant law

8/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Germany carried out its first raids under the 2025 law criminalising facilitation of migrant smuggling to the UK.
Police seized over 9,000 life jackets, dozens of 9-m (29-ft) dinghies, engines and 360 pumps, now stored at a secret police facility.
The operation involved German, UK and French authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The UK National Crime Agency estimated the seized equipment could have moved over 2,000 migrants, about 65 per dinghy.

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Story summary

Germany carried out its first raids under the 2025 law criminalising facilitation of migrant smuggling to the UK.
Police seized over 9,000 life jackets, dozens of 9-m (29-ft) dinghies, engines and 360 pumps, now stored at a secret police facility.
The operation involved German, UK and French authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The UK National Crime Agency estimated the seized equipment could have moved over 2,000 migrants, about 65 per dinghy.