Inner tubes as life jackets: human smuggler arrested in De Panne

Driver arrested

“On February 6, 2023 around 10:45 pm, the West Coast Police Zone checked a vehicle with a German number plate,” says the spokesman for the public prosecutor’s office.

“A trailer was attached to the vehicle with a vessel on it. Upon inspection, jerry cans with fuel were found, as well as 15 inner tubes and a pump. The driver of the vehicle, a 42-year-old Syrian living in Germany, was arrested on suspicion of human smuggling, and was arrested by the investigating judge.

The investigation will be conducted by the human smuggling team of the Federal Judicial Police of West Flanders. His detention was confirmed by the court today.”

(continue reading below the photo (c) Parquet West Flanders)

“Eyes and ears on edge in the field”

Frank Demeester, reference magistrate for human smuggling: “At the request of the West Flemish Dirco (Director-Coordinator) of the Federal Police, the police services continue to pay attention to the transport of boats on West Flemish roads during regular operation.

All data, including information from neighboring countries, is kept by the Federal Police in order to make the image as complete as possible and to be able to respond to new modi operandi.

This new interception by the West Coast Local Police Zone proves that the eyes and ears in the field are on edge. Suspicious situations, such as the transport of boats, life jackets, outboard motors or other nautical equipment, are always reported to the public prosecutor’s office, so that the necessary initiatives can be taken.”

Inner tubes instead of life jackets

Striking find during the arrest: 15 inner tubes.

“Not for the first time, inner tubes were found in the context of human smuggling,” says Frank Demeester.

“The life jackets that until recently were almost always part of the all-in package that was brought to the northern French coasts by smuggling organizations by vehicles, are more often replaced by car inner tubes.

The life jackets that were previously handed over to the transmigrants were often very cheap and were certainly not suitable for use on the high seas. But apparently some people smugglers have even switched from the cheap life jackets to car inner tubes to give the transmigrants in the boat some sense of security.”

(Photo: (c) Parquet West Flanders)