A people smuggling ringleader has been convicted over the deaths of at least 27 people.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested the man, who was connected to a tragic Channel crossing in November 2021.
Most of the victims were Iraqi Kurds who drowned when their dinghy sank.
Only two people survived and four others remain missing.
It remains the deadliest Channel incident involving small boats to date.
The NCA identified one of the ringleaders as Harem Ahmed Abwbaker, 36, an Iraqi Kurd who had smuggled himself into the UK in the back of a lorry.
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He was tracked down to a hotel in Cheltenham and arrested in November 2022.
Following his arrest, Abwbaker was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for a hearing over an extradition request by French authorities.
He was later extradited to France in July 2023.
On September 30, 2026, he was convicted following a French investigation supported by the NCA.
Craig Turner, NCA deputy director of investigations, said: "This was a tragic incident which starkly demonstrated the callous nature of the gangs involved in organising Channel boat crossings.
"Abwbaker and his co-conspirators did not care about the dangers of putting an over-loaded and completely unsuitable dinghy into the sea.
"They just wanted to get paid.
"Sadly, many of those on board the boat ended up paying with their lives."
French prosecutors said Abwbaker was a key ringleader of the people smuggling gang behind it.
He was sentenced to eight years in prison for manslaughter.
Others involved received sentences ranging from six to 10 years.
The gang, made up of Afghan and Kurdish members, charged migrants around 3,000 euros each to make the crossing.
Another seven individuals were convicted of related offences.
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