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Two Ukrainians Jailed for Premium People-Smuggling Yacht Service
Charged with three counts of assisting unlawful immigration, two Ukrainians ran a premium yacht service charging up to £16,000 per trip to smuggle migrants across the English Channel.
- On March 12, 2026 at Portsmouth Crown Court, Vladyslav Cherniavskyi, 38, was jailed six years and Oleksandr Yavtushenko, 43, five years after pleading guilty to three counts of assisting unlawful immigration.
- On July 20, 2025, the private yacht Uforia was intercepted 4.5 miles off Chichester and escorted into Haslar Marina in a joint NCA, Border Force and French law enforcement operation, with evidence linking offences on July 20, 2025, June 15, 2025 and August 10, 2024.
- Prosecutors said the pair ran at least eight crossings, with five migrants on the intercepted trip, paying up to £16,000 t or 15,000 euros each.
- The National Crime Agency said the prosecution disrupted an illegal migrant taxi service, crediting French police evidence, and both men face likely deportation after serving sentences.
- Judge William Ashworth described the operation as 'an insidious black market draining families of money and perpetuating the misery of illegal immigration,' while Charlie Eastaugh said smugglers charged tens of thousands of pounds for a 'luxury' journey.
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Pair who ran 'illegal migrant taxi service' across Channel were intercepted off the coast of Chichester
Two Ukrainian men – who smuggled migrants across the English Channel aboard a private yacht – have been jailed, after they were intercepted just off the coast of Chichester.
·Lewes, United Kingdom
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Daily Echo+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Two men who ran 'premium bespoke' people smuggling service jailed
Two men have been jailed for running a "premium" people-smuggling operation at Portsmouth Crown Court.
·Southampton, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources10
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Center
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
75% Center
13%
C 75%
12%
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