People smuggler who crammed nine migrants including 4-year-old child into van and crossed Channel jailed

A people trafficker who crammed nine migrants including a four-year-old child into the back of a van and attempted to smuggle them into the UK has been jailed.

Constantin-Florin Pauliuc subjected the people to “freezing temperatures” and left them “without food, water or sunlight” for a payment of just £300.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how Border Force officers stopped the Romanian national's vehicle at the Port of Dover on November 8 after he arrived in the UK from Calais.

A search of the van revealed three Albanian nationals and six Vietnamese nationals, including the small child, hidden inside a cramped rear compartment.

The people were hidden inside a cramped rear compartment of Pauliuc’s van (Home Office)

Pauliuc first claimed that he had no knowledge of how the migrants got there. But later admitted he was paid £300 to transport them after several of the trafficked people gave statements confirming his involvement.

He was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assisting unlawful immigration and sentenced to four years in prison on Tuesday.

An investigation, led by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigation team, found Pauliuc had used false number plates in an attempt to conceal his criminal activities and hide from authorities.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle said: “Anyone who exploits our borders for profit can expect to face jail.

“This government are committed to staying ahead of people smuggling gangs that put the UK’s border security at risk. We will continue to take strong action to dismantle these criminal networks and ensure they face justice. I would like to thank the officers whose hard work led to putting this criminal behind bars."

Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations lead, Stephen Blackwell added: “I am pleased that Pauliuc has been handed a custodial sentence for his reckless actions.

“Pauliuc crammed these vulnerable people inside his van with little regard for their safety or welfare, trapping them for hours in freezing temperatures without food, water or sunlight. Subjecting them to this was worth just £300 to him.

“As with many smuggling operations we encounter, the sole priority of these criminals is financial gain, at the expense of those they exploit under false promises.”