Two French nationals, Ange Clavery and Fousseynou Soumare, have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in smuggling two Vietnamese individuals into the United Kingdom. The pair were discovered hidden in zipped-up holdalls in the boots of hire cars by Border Force officers at the Port of Poole.
Clavery and Soumare were arrested after officers noticed movement in the luggage as the vehicles arrived on a cross-Channel ferry from Cherbourg. The Vietnamese man was found in Clavery's vehicle, while the woman was discovered in Soumare's car. The woman had previously attempted to obtain a UK student visa twice without success.
Both defendants stated they were recruited via Snapchat. Soumare admitted he was offered £1,300 to facilitate the woman's entry into the UK. Prosecutors described the operation as planned, utilizing hired vehicles and one-way tickets.
Clavery and Soumare, both 20 years old, pleaded guilty to one charge of assisting illegal immigration. During sentencing, Clavery expressed remorse, stating he did not fully comprehend the gravity of his actions and apologized for lying. Soumare's defense highlighted his remorse, financial struggles, and naivete regarding the consequences of his involvement. He sought the money to support his family, noting his partner was pregnant.
Judge Susan Evans KC emphasized the seriousness of unlawful immigration, stating the defendants were aware of their actions and that the operation was commercial. The judge also noted the danger posed to the Vietnamese nationals, who were transported in confined spaces. Clavery received a 24-month sentence, while Soumare was jailed for 22 months in July. Soumare is a student from Perigueux, France.