The UK government has implemented a counter-terror policy that permits them to grab cell phones from illegal migrants without arresting them.
The new rule aims to gather intelligence on smuggling organizations organizing small boat crossings into the UK.
According to the Home Office, officials would be empowered to demand that migrants remove their outerwear in order to search for phones and SIM cards in their mouths.
The National Crime Agency stated that the information gathered could help speed up investigations into smuggling organizations.
Border security minister Alex Norris said, “We promised to restore order and control to our borders, which means taking on the people smuggling networks behind this deadly trade.
“That is exactly why we are implementing robust new laws with powerful offenses to intercept, disrupt, and dismantle these vile gangs faster than ever before and cut off their supply chains.”
Mike Tapp, minister for migration and citizenship, said seized phones could later be returned, but that would “depend on the individual circumstances… what’s found on that phone. That’s for the guys on the ground to make that operational decision.”
“If people have devices… that could hold intelligence, then we are right to be able to seize that. But that doesn’t take away compassion,” he added.
The new rule also establishes offenses punishable by up to 14 years in prison for storing or supplying boat engines used to transport migrants to the UK.
Martin Hewitt, who is in charge of preventing Channel crossings, said more than 4,000 disruptions against smuggling organizations had occurred since his team was established, including the seizure of cash and the conviction of important actors.
He stated yesterday was a critical occasion to move farther with additional instruments to combat traffickers.
