INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A court in northern France has sentenced 14 Sri Lankan nationals to prison for running a people-smuggling ring throughout Europe-- part of a
continent-wide attempt to crack down on the rewarding criminal networks.The main suspect, implicated of overseeing the operation from a
supermarket in the village of Serifontaine, 80km north of Paris, was handed a four-year prison term, with one year suspended.Investigators
figured out that he set the rates and paths for moving migrants from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh across the continent from Ukraine, with the
assistance of bribes to authorities in Eastern Europe.Another suspect, who is based in Britain but fighting extradition requests, was
offered a five-year sentence, while the others were given much shorter prison terms.Smuggling gangs have grown as increasing numbers of
migrants have headed for Europe recently, with numerous hoping to cross the English Channel and reach Britain.More than 45,000 migrants made
the risky crossing from mainland Europe to Britain in 2022, going beyond the previous years record by more than 17,000, according to UK
government figures.Source - Radio France Internationale- With input from companies
