Five jailed for £1.6m people smuggling and money laundering

Five members of an organised crime group have been jailed for a combined total of almost 40 years for their involvement in a conspiracy to smuggle Vietnamese migrants into the UK and launder more than £1.6 million. The National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation, supported by French and Belgian police, uncovered a scheme where passports were used to exert 'debt bondage' over migrants.

Operation Details

The operation, led by twin brothers Vinh Van Nguyen and Quang Van Nguyen, both 31 and from Coventry, advertised people smuggling services from Vietnam to Europe. The wider group, including Van Huy Nguyen, 23, from Rotherham, Lia-Chien Trong, 34, and Sy Trai Ho, 28, both of no fixed UK abode, collected cash across the UK and sent it to Vietnam. Migrants had their passports confiscated in France before travelling to the UK via small boats and lorries. These documents were then sent to accomplices in the UK and used to ensure migrants worked to pay off debts for their illegal entry.

The NCA investigation began in July 2025 after French Customs officers at Charles de Gaulle Airport seized a package containing 22 Vietnamese passports addressed to Quang Nguyen. Subsequent investigations revealed extensive money transfers made through Post Offices and money transfer services like Western Union, Money Gram, and Ria. Between July 2024 and October 2025, over £1.65 million was transferred to Vietnam through 740 transactions.

Evidence and Arrests

Evidence gathered included cash and passports found in a car searched by police in Birmingham, where Quang was arrested on 11 September 2025. Forensic analysis of a bag containing passports wrapped in a bloodstained shirt linked Lia-Chien Trong to the conspiracy. Phone examinations revealed messages detailing people smuggling, the movement of 'chickens' (a slang term for migrants), and discussions about routes and prices. Vinh's phone also showed extensive use of a weather forecasting website, indicating planning for Channel crossings.

Vinh, Ho, and Trong were arrested in Coventry on 1 October 2025, after being observed collecting cash from a nail bar in Wrexham and attempting to transfer funds in Wigan. Ho and Huy were arrested later. During their arrests, officers found approximately £4,000 in cash with Trong and Ho, and over £13,400 in cash and eight Vietnamese passports with Vinh.

Sentencing

Vinh Van Nguyen was convicted by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court on 25 August and sentenced to 12 years and six months imprisonment. Quang Van Nguyen and Lia-Chien Trong had previously pleaded guilty, while Van Huy Nguyen and Sy Trai Ho changed their pleas to guilty at the start of the trial. Quang received nine years and nine months, Huy was sentenced to seven years and two months, Trong to six years, and Ho to four years. The NCA stated they will continue to work with international partners to combat such operations.

Sara-Jayne Moore, NCA branch commander, commented on the group's lack of empathy, stating: 'This group had no qualms about transporting migrants for profit, as shown by the heartless language used to describe their human cargo.' She added that the large number of passports seized demonstrated the scale of the operation overseen by Quang and Vinh.