Fury has erupted as it has been discovered that one people smuggling gang has managed to return more migrants to France than the Labour Government’s returns programme.

The smuggling operation transported 243 individuals out of Britain over a period spanning from December 2022 to September 2023, whilst Labour’s arrangement with France has resulted in just 153 returns.

The disparity between these figures has prompted sharp criticism of current border control measures.

Critics argue that the statistics demonstrate fundamental weaknesses in the Government’s approach to managing migration, with unauthorised operations proving more effective at moving people across the Channel than official schemes.

The operation’s leader, 53-year-old Madjid Belabes from Camberwell in South London, coordinated with Algerian drivers to conceal migrants in lorry compartments.

The network completed 26 smuggling journeys during their active period, averaging approximately £1,200 per person transported.

French authorities intercepted one significant shipment containing 58 individuals of Moroccan, Tunisian and Algerian origin.

These migrants had entered Britain legally using visitor visas.

According to former Border Force chief Tony Smith, numerous North African nationals utilise Britain as a stepping stone to France after failing to secure Schengen visas.

Belabes, who worked as an Uber Eats driver, accumulated roughly £287,000 through his smuggling activities.

Belabes admitted to people smuggling charges at Kingston Crown Court last Friday and received a prison term of 10 years and nine months.

The substantial sentence reflects the scale of his illegal enterprise, which saw him profit significantly from exploiting individuals seeking passage to France.

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His conviction represents one of the more severe penalties handed down for people smuggling operations running in the opposite direction to typical Channel crossings, underlining the seriousness with which authorities have treated this reverse trafficking route.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp offered scathing commentary on the situation, stating: “Even people smugglers are better at removing people from the UK than Keir Starmer.

Robert Bates from the Centre for Migration Control echoed these sentiments, remarking: “It sums up the state of our borders that criminal gangs are doing a better job than the Home Office.”