A MAN has been jailed for nearly four years in connection with the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants found in a trailer in Essex.

Dragos Stefan Damian, 28, admitted conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

He was sentenced at the Old Bailey yesterday (Monday, 22 March) after admitting he was going to transport the Vietnamese nationals to London.

Mr Justice Sweeney imprisoned Damian, a Romanian national, for 46 months.

Damian was extradited from Italy in 2021 to face a UK court following the investigation into the deaths of the men, women and children. Their bodies were found in the trailer after it was transported by ferry from Zeebrugge to Purfleet in October, 2019.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, said: "Dragos Damian was a key player in an evil people smuggling conspiracy that made money from misery.

"Along with his co-conspirators he knew that what he was doing was dangerous and wrong, but through sheer greed he did it anyway.

"I hope today's sentence will once again serve as a warning to those who think it is acceptable to prey on the vulnerabilities of those who are seeking a different life for themselves and their families.

"If you take part in and make money from this abhorrent crime, we will find you, we will stop you and you will be sent to prison.

"I also hope that our ongoing commitment to this investigation will bring the families of the victims some comfort in knowing that those involved will spend a significant amount of time in prison. But I know that truthfully, their pain will never go away.

"My thoughts will always be with the families of the victims."

Martin Grace, NCA Head of Organised Immigration Crime Operations, said: "The gangs involved in organised immigration crime treat people as a commodity to be profited from, without care for their safety or wellbeing. In this case that had tragic and fatal consequences.

"We have worked closely with Essex Police and our international partners from the outset of this investigation, and the NCA's international liaison network helped ensure Damian was brought back to the UK to be put before a court.

"It demonstrates the reach of UK law enforcement and our shared determination to bring all those involved in this horrendous crime to justice."

Russell Tyner, Specialist Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "This was a devastating case which ended in 39 people losing their lives in the most horrendous way.

"Damian played his part in this criminal enterprise by using his van for people smuggling without a second thought for the consequences or the wellbeing of those being trafficked.

"The CPS would like to thank the work of the Essex Police and National Crime Agency in helping to bring Damian to justice and we will look to pursue confiscation proceedings against any ill-gotten gains the defendant accrued in this activity.

"Our thoughts remain with the families of victims and hope this sentencing bring some small comfort."