Second group of small boats seized in three weeks

The 20 inflatable boats were found in a large truck bound for the Netherlands

Twenty inflatable boats believed to be destined for people smugglers in the English Channel have been seized from a lorry in Bulgaria — the second such discovery in less than three weeks.

The boats were found overnight on Sunday at the Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint in a truck bound for the Netherlands.

More than 25,000 migrants have crossed the Channel so far in 2025, the first time that number has been reached in July, according to official figures.

Gill Duggan, head of Europe for National Crime Agency International, said: "Stopping these dangerous boats from reaching the hands of people smugglers has prevented crossings and prevented lives being put at risk."

Last month, NCA officers worked with Bulgarian partners to seize another 25 inflatable boats.

A total of 69 boats are now believed to have been seized at the Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint in 2025.

The latest seizure was made as part of an NCA operation, in collaboration with Home Office International Operations, targeting supplies of small boat equipment moving into Europe.

Intelligence was passed on to the Bulgarian National Customs Agency, allowing officers to intercept and search the lorry.

The 8m (26.2ft) long boats, which are unsuitable for use in deep water, could have carried a total of up to 1,200 people across the Channel, according to the NCA.

The agency said the lorry driver had been charged with breaching Bulgarian customs regulations.

Each boats would typically have been used to carry about 50 or 60 people across the Channel

Ms Duggan said more than 700 boats and engines had been seized since early 2023.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added: "Tackling organised immigration crime of this scale requires sustained effort.

"It will take time, but operations like this show we are making clear progress with our Plan For Change, disrupting and dismantling networks and holding those who exploit vulnerable people to account."