The group was intercepted in November last year near the Norfolk coast while attempting to transport the migrants in a run-down fishing vessel which set sail from Ostend (Belgium) and headed to Great Yarmouth.
Police arrested Igor Kosyi, 57, and Volodymyr Mykhailov, 49, both from Ukraine, and Alexsandrs Gulpe, 44, from Latvia. The migrants were handed over to Immigration Enforcement.
In addition, the investigators seized a laptop which helped them further dismantle the criminal network and arrest Latvian national Sergejs Kuliss, 32, who provided the group with the computer.
Two other conspirators - Lithuanian national Arturas Jusas, 35, living in Lambeth, and Israeli national Kfir Ivgi, 39, from Finchley - were found to have been in contact with Kullis and were arrested in June this year.
All of them were charged with human trafficking. Jusas pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court on 6 August, and Ivgi, Kuliss, Gulpe and Kosyi were found guilty at the same court in November this year, while Volodymyr Mykhailov was acquitted.
On Tuesday, Jusas was sentenced to nine years and nine months, Ivgi to 10 years, Kuliss to nine years and Kosyi to seven years. Gulpe’s sentencing was postponed, according to local newspaper, Newham Recorder.
“These men had no qualms about trying to smuggle vulnerable migrants on board an unseaworthy vessel, with ambitions to bring in hundreds more using this deadly method,” said NCA Director of Investigations, Nikki Holland. “Their sole motivation was monetary greed so I’m delighted they are now beginning lengthy jail terms for these despicable crimes.”
