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Britain on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Balkan-based gangs and financiers accused of helping facilitate small boat crossings to the U.K., as migrant arrivals via the Channel were set to surpass last year’s totals.
The new measures, announced under powers introduced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, were unveiled as he hosted European leaders at a Western Balkans summit focused on migration, security, and economic growth.
The Foreign Office said the asset freezes and travel bans targeted criminal groups “involved in illegal migration to the U.K.” and international networks financing people-smuggling operations.
Starmer, who took power in July 2024, vowing to “smash the gangs” behind the Channel crossings, has faced mounting pressure to curb the journeys that have fueled the rise of the U.K.’s hard right and deepened domestic divisions over immigration.
Despite his pledge, crossings continue to surge.
The 2024 total of 36,816 arrivals was expected to be surpassed on Wednesday following new reported crossings."
Opening the London summit alongside fellow European leaders, including Germany’s Friedrich Merz and EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, Starmer described the Balkans as Europe’s “crucible.”
“It is the place where the security of our continent is put to the test,” he said, noting the talks would also address Russia’s “malign influence” and regional corruption.
Announcing the sanctions earlier, Starmer said there was “a criminal route through the Western Balkans bringing illegal migrants to the U.K., and we’re determined to shut it down by working with European partners.”
“Through a new Joint Migration Taskforce, British drones, and tougher sanctions, we’re going after the smuggling gangs at every stage to put them out of business and deliver security for working people,” he added.
The Foreign Office said the sanctions targeted the Krasniqi network, described as “a Kosovo-based organized crime group responsible for producing false documents and supplying them to criminal gangs.”
Also sanctioned was Nusret Seferovic, the alleged leader of a Croatian gang accused of providing false Croatian passports to Balkan criminal groups “to facilitate entry into European countries.”
The U.K. government also imposed curbs on the so-called ALPA network and several of its members, accusing the group of procuring small boat components for people-smuggling operations.
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