(BBC) Dangerous and unseaworthy boats are being used to smuggle people across the Channel to the UK from France, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned.
The NCA said there had been a trend towards large inflatables of up to 10m (32ft) and it suspected they were being purpose-built for smugglers.
Days before 27 people drowned in the deadliest crossing on record it found vessels held together with gaffer tape.
“Frankly, they are death traps,” the NCA said.
Many of the large grey or black, unbranded vessels had little or no commercial use, while others were being adapted with sub-standard materials, it added.
