Inside Dunkirk Migrant Camp Where UK Crossings Are Arranged In Minutes

Inside Dunkirk Migrant Camp Where UK Crossings Are Arranged In Minutes

A Daily Express investigation has revealed how migrants hoping to reach Britain can allegedly arrange a Channel crossing within minutes of arriving at a camp on the outskirts of Dunkirk.

Reporters who entered the sprawling site described a thriving black market operating in plain sight, with lifejackets, drugs and crossing arrangements all readily available.

The team said one detail in particular left them stunned — the apparent openness of the operation despite the presence of nearby police.

'They Didn't Care Who Saw Them'

Speaking on the Daily Expresso podcast, Investigations Editor Zak Garner-Purkis described how reporters entered the camp after sending an undercover contact posing as a migrant seeking passage to Britain.

Once inside, they approached individuals openly selling lifejackets and drugs.

Zak recalled:

"I went to the guy and said, 'You're selling drugs.' He pulled his snood up and just said, 'Yes'."

According to the investigation, the sellers appeared unconcerned about being challenged or identified.

The same attitude was encountered among those selling lifejackets to migrants preparing for dangerous Channel crossings.

Crossings Allegedly Arranged Within 20 Minutes

The investigation found that migrants were allegedly able to make contact with people smugglers almost immediately after arriving at the camp.

Reporters claimed arrangements for a crossing to Britain could be organised in as little as 20 minutes.

The camp itself was reportedly operating within sight of French police patrols.

The Daily Express said men linked to Kurdish trafficking networks appeared to be controlling parts of the operation and profiting from migrants desperate to reach the UK.

Drugs, Lifejackets And A Thriving Black Market

Alongside people-smuggling activity, reporters found makeshift stalls selling lifejackets that appeared unsuitable for crossing one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

Cannabis was also reportedly being sold openly within the camp.

The findings paint a picture of a semi-permanent settlement where criminal enterprises operate alongside preparations for illegal crossings.

Hostility Towards Journalists

As reporters spent more time inside the camp, tensions reportedly increased.

The team said they were eventually targeted by angry individuals who threw rocks at them.

One producer narrowly avoided being struck by a mango, while a full can of Coca-Cola was also hurled in their direction.

The journalists left after it became clear their presence was no longer welcome.

Home Office Vows Crackdown

Responding to the investigation, a Home Office spokesperson said the Government remained committed to dismantling the people-smuggling networks behind the crossings.

Officials said the National Crime Agency currently has more than 100 live investigations into trafficking gangs.

The Home Office also pointed to increased cooperation with France, claiming hundreds of smugglers were arrested during 2025 and more than 42,000 attempted crossings have been prevented since the election.

A Persistent Challenge

Despite repeated promises from both London and Paris, the Daily Express investigation highlights how migrant camps around northern France continue to serve as launching points for small-boat crossings.

For critics of current policy, the most striking aspect was not the presence of smugglers or illegal activity — but the apparent ease with which it was being conducted in the open.

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