MIGRANTS can now have their phones and electronics seized at Dover under new laws.
Those who arrive on small boats could now also be prosecuted for supplying items such as engines and putting other people at danger whilst crossing the Channel.
Phone seizures, which will help track down those organising the journeys, will begin at Manston processing centre from today.
Tech is available at the facility to download key evidence from phones – but there are fears that now dinghy migrants will simply throw their devices into the sea before reaching the UK.
More than 41,000 arrived by the Channel last year but crossings have been stopped by bad weather in 2026 so far.
Officers can also require illegal migrants to remove an outer coat, jacket or gloves, and conduct searches inside someone’s mouth for a hidden SIM card.
Offenders could also face 14 years behind bars for moving, storing or supplying items like boat engines.
Smugglers downloading, researching and recording information to facilitate illegal migration will also face up to five years imprisonment.
This could include downloading a map on where to launch a small boat to avoid detection or researching the best places to buy equipment to construct a small boat.
The Sun previously revealed that the dinghies are readily available from online stores based in China and easily shipped to mainland Europe.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, 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 offences to intercept, disrupt and dismantle these vile gangs faster than ever before and cut off their supply chains.
“These operational measures sit alongside sweeping reforms to the system, to make it less attractive for migrants to come here illegally and remove and deport people faster.”
Martin Hewitt CBE QPM, Border Security Commander, said: “Criminal smuggling gangs facilitating illegal migration do not care if people live or die.
“Since the Border Security Command launched, nearly 4,000 disruptions against these networks have taken place, from seizing cash to convictions of major kingpins.
“Today marks a key moment in allowing us to go even further, with new tools and legal backing to bear down on these vile gangs, secure our borders and save lives.”
Sarah Dineley from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Organised immigration crime causes untold misery and is a serious risk to life for those desperate enough to make these crossings.
“Thanks to these new offences we now have at our disposal, we can work with our law enforcement colleagues to bring offenders to justice.
“Prosecutions disrupt the running of these criminal business models and sends out a clear message to those involved that they risk imprisonment.”
“Once our prosecutors have sufficient evidence from law enforcement agencies and it’s in the public interest we won’t hesitate to charge suspects and take them to court.”
