A new trend among Albanian migrants attempting to reach the United Kingdom appears to be emerging. Rather than relying on the notoriously dangerous dinghy routes, many have opted to travel in trucks, a tactic that traffickers are increasingly using to evade detection. According to reports from The Times, this shift is part of an evolving strategy to avoid authorities, with smugglers now masking their activities on social media platforms such as TikTok, where they advertise the illicit routes as news articles.
This method of transportation, however, comes at a significant financial cost. Migrants are now paying up to £23,000 per person to be smuggled into the UK by truck, a sharp increase from the previous £18,000 in 2023. The rise in price reflects the growing risk of this route, as well as the efforts to stay one step ahead of law enforcement. Despite efforts by TikTok to remove such advertisements, traffickers continue to adapt, creating new accounts and using encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp to communicate with their clients, making it increasingly difficult for authorities to track and apprehend these networks.
Traffickers are also exploiting the legal changes in 2023, when Albania was designated a 'safe' country, making it easier for those arriving by dinghy to be detained and deported back to Albania. As a result, many are now opting for the more covert truck route, avoiding direct interaction with immigration authorities. A source close to the matter revealed, “Arriving by dinghy means they will be sent to immigration centers and deported back to Albania within days. They know this, so to avoid any contact with immigration authorities, they are using trucks now.”
A TikTok account under the name shqipet_london published several ads in March, which were later removed, but not before gaining attention. One of the posts read, "Truck trips for everyone, we are waiting in Brussels. We travel every day. 100% safety with Polish and British truck drivers. For boys with problems [wanted persons in the EU for alleged crimes], just text us. We are the first hand in this business."
Another post promoted: "Tomorrow, space in a truck for four people. The journey starts in the evening. Who is ready to go to the UK?" While a third post emphasized: "Book your place with us, don’t deal with intermediaries. We are the first in this business. 100% passage. Pay when you arrive in London."
The shift in trafficking tactics has not gone unnoticed by authorities. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy highlighted the growing danger, stating, "Criminal gangs have long exploited insecurity in the Western Balkans, parts of which have become a major transit route for illegal immigration and serious organized crime. They are risking lives for profit and becoming increasingly violent in their efforts to make as much money as possible."
Lammy added, "With the world becoming more unpredictable, the Western Balkans is critically important for the collective security of the UK and Europe. The UK remains committed to supporting efforts to strengthen stability and security in the region."
While these developments point to a disturbing trend of rising criminality and the dangers faced by migrants, they also underscore the broader challenges of addressing human trafficking in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape. The situation remains fluid, and both authorities and migrants continue to adapt in response to the shifting dynamics of migration routes and smuggling tactics.