Britain's most wanted man jailed after supplying boats used in Channel crossings

Adem Savas, described by authorities as Britain's most wanted man for supplying small boats and outboard engines used in English Channel crossings, has been convicted in Belgium and sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Adem Savas was identified by law enforcement as a major supplier of small inflatable boats and outboard engines used in migrant crossings of the English Channel. Belgian prosecutors told a court he ran the supply operation for about a decade and became a leading importer of the engines commonly used by people-smuggling gangs. The National Crime Agency assessed that Savas supplied around half of the boats and engines in Channel crossings and said equipment linked to his trade was involved in fatal events. He was convicted in Belgium of aggravated human smuggling and sentenced to 11 years in jail. Key facts: - UK and European investigators assessed Savas supplied around half of the small boats and outboard engines used in Channel crossings, according to prosecuting authorities. - Prosecutors said he sold boats, engines and lifejackets across Europe and traced assets they linked to his operation in Turkey and elsewhere. - He was arrested in the Netherlands in November 2024 and has now been convicted and sentenced in Belgium for aggravated human smuggling. Summary: Authorities say the conviction removes a major supplier from networks that supported dangerous Channel crossings and forms part of a wider Europe-wide investigation. Undetermined at this time.