The Smugglers' Trail

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Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie investigate human trafficking, exposing some of those involved

With migrant boat crossings on the rise and with the dangers well documented, Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie track the smugglers and expose some of the gangs behind this deadly trade.

With migrant boat crossings on the rise and with the dangers well documented, BBC presenter Sue Mitchell and aid worker and former British soldier Rob Lawrie uncover the money that changes hands as migrants cross borders and expose some of those profiting from their desperation.

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The Smugglers' Trail: Smugglers Profit as War Rages

Smugglers Profit as War Rages

BBC Radio 4 - The Smugglers' Trail, Smugglers Profit as War Rages

Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie investigate how smugglers hope to profit from war in Ukraine.

Smuggling gangs have been quick to capitalise on the war in Ukraine: Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie investigate the profits being made as people flee their homes in search of safety.

The war in Ukraine has generated new opportunities for smugglers to make money and they have been quick to react. Some of those fleeing their homes have been prepared to pay for safe passage out of the country. And as BBC reporter, Sue Mitchell, and former soldier turned aid worker, Rob Lawrie, discover, the gangs involved are even offering false paperwork to help with visa applications and discounted places for those wanting to cross by dinghy from France to the UK.

For vulnerable children in Ukraine the dangers posed by those involved in trafficking are huge and charities are reporting growing concerns about the number of orphans who have disappeared from the system. Rob Lawrie joins a team of US military special operations veterans from Aerial Recovery who are working with the Government to rescue vulnerable children from combat zones. From the orphanages they can then be taken to safe areas where they can be properly processed.

According to Martin Kvernbekk, from the Norwegian branch of the refugee charity, Salam, this wasn't happening at the start of the war, when children dropped at the Poland-Ukraine border by well-meaning organisations were in danger of being targeted by smugglers: “They're very easy prey - they're looking for assistance, so if you're an adult with some candy, food or refuge, they will come with you, they don't know any better.”

He describes how people smugglers wearing reflective vests pretended to belong to organisations helping the relief effort: “The gangs are very advanced - it's big, well-financed networks that do this for a living. They're good at this in peace time,” he says, “Now it's a war, it's chaos, and they're exploiting the fact that there is disorder to be able to snatch more kids and women.”

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Smugglers Profit as War Rages

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