Men involved in conspiracy to smuggle migrants into UK convicted

Two men have been convicted for conspiring to facilitate the illegal immigration of migrants – including eight children - into the UK who were hidden in the back of a lorry.

Daniel Loughran, 34, and Eoin Nolan, 51, were found guilty today following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court of conspiring to assist with unlawful immigration.

The defendants were prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Two other defendants, Wayne Sherlock, 43, who pleaded guilty to the same offence and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court in June 2022, and Duncan McLaughlin, who has been convicted for his part as the driver of the lorry by the Belgium authorities, were also involved in the conspiracy.

Together, they conspired to smuggle 10 Vietnamese migrants, eight of whom were believed to be children, hidden inside stacked tyres in the back of a lorry. These migrants were to be picked up and illegally trafficked from France, via Belgium, into the UK.

Their plan failed on 5 March 2020, when a lorry driven by McLaughlin was stopped by the Belgian authorities. During the search of the lorry’s trailer,  the 10 migrants were discovered. McLaughlin was arrested and the vehicle was seized by Belgian police.

The prosecution used a range of evidence to build a strong case against the other defendants which proved their involvement in the conspiracy.

Tarika Jayaratne, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The two defendants in this case made significant efforts to avoid and undermine the checks and controls we have on immigration at our borders. They also put the safety and wellbeing of the vulnerable children they were smuggling at risk for profit.

“The CPS is continuing to work with law enforcement partners to discourage, disrupt and dismantle this exploitative trade through prosecutions and cross-border collaboration.”

David Cunningham, NCA Branch Commander, said: “Despite the tragedy that led to the deaths of 39 migrants in Purfleet in 2019, this gang sought to take advantage of this group of Vietnamese nationals, most of whom were children, putting them at risk by smuggling them across the English Channel. Each of the migrants were charged thousands of pounds and hidden in inhumane conditions.

“These smuggling gangs show complete disregard for the safety and wellbeing of those who decide to use these dangerous methods to try to enter the UK. Once payment is made by the migrant they simply become a commodity for transportation.

“Tackling organised immigration crime and bringing all of those involved to justice is a priority for the NCA and we will continue to work with all of our international partners to stop this inhumane, illegal and dangerous criminality.”

A third defendant on trial was acquitted.

Loughran and Nolan will appear again at Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing on 16 April 2025.