Five bags 39 years in jail after Police bust £1.65m UK-Vietnam smuggling ring
Five members of an organized crime group have been sentenced to a total of 39.5 years in prison for smuggling Vietnamese migrants into the United Kingdom and laundering more than £1.65 million.
The UK National Crime Agency (NCA) reported that the group was led by twin brothers Vinh Van Nguyen and Quang Van Nguyen. They exploited a “debt bondage” scheme, using the migrants’ passports to recover expenses related to their illegal journeys.
The other members of the group include Van Huy Nguyen, Lia-Chien Trong, and Sy Trai Ho.
During an investigation, authorities seized 220 Vietnamese passports and over £16,700 in cash from a vehicle in Birmingham. Officers also discovered handwritten notes and money transfer receipts linked to their activities.
According to the NCA, between July 2024 and October 2025, the group facilitated the transfer of more than £1.65 million to Vietnam through various services, including Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria Money Transfer, and Post Offices.
Vinh Van Nguyen was convicted following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, while the other four defendants entered guilty pleas. Vinh was sentenced to 12 years and six months, Quang to nine years and nine months, Huy to seven years and two months, Trong to six years, and Ho to four years.
NCA branch commander Sara-Jayne Moore emphasized the group’s disregard for the well-being of the migrants they exploited for profit.
