THE deaths of 39 Vietnamese whose bodies were discovered in a refrigerated lorry container in Thurrock might possibly have been avoided had authorities listened more seriously to warnings by residents in Orsett that a site in the borough was being used to traffic illegal immigrants.

At a hearing last week when one of the many people involved in the human trafficking operation from Europe to the UK came before a court for sentencing, it was disclosed that residents in Orsett had repeatedly raised concerns about Collingwood Farm, a site close to the Bonners estate and Orsett Golf Club.

In January last year Thurrock Nub News reported on the trial of seven men who were jailed for their roles in the people smuggling ring that brought about the deaths of 39 Vietnamese nationals whose bodies were discovered in West Thurrock.

The bodies of the 31 males and eight women were found in a refrigerated trailer on 23 October. It has transpired that the site known as Collingwood Farm has been a base of operations for the people-smuggling gang.

One of those gang members is Dragos Stefan Damian, 28, who was extradited from Italy to face a UK court following the investigation into the deaths of the men, women and children.

At his sentencing it was acknowledged that Damian had been involved in moving immigrants about the UK in his van and that he had Collingwood Farm.

He was reportedly at the farm when the bodies of the would-be illegal immigrants were landed at Purfleet and then discovered when the lorry driver opened the door of his container. When Damian heard the news, he fled the country.

In November, after being extradited, Damian pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration between May 1, 2018 to October 24, 2019. As part of the investigation, police identified at least six smuggling trips, with migrants paying up to £13,000 for a "VIP" service. In October 2019 alone, the smugglers stood to make more than £1 million.

Migrants would board lorries at a remote location on the continent to be transported to Britain where they would be picked up by a fleet of smaller vehicles for transfer to safe houses until payment was received. Some of the trips were thwarted by border officials, and the court was told residents in Orsett had repeatedly reported migrants being dropped off, but the smuggling operation was not stopped until after the fatal trafficking of the 39 Vietnamese.

The role of the farm was highlighted in this Nub News report from last year.

The sentencing of Damian was adjourned by Mr Justice Sweeney but Damian is expected to return to court for completion of proceeding tomorrow (Monday, 21 March).