An alleged ringleader of a people-smuggling gang has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 39 men, women and children in a lorry trailer in Essex. The Vietnamese nationals were found dead in the container which had been transported by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet early on October 23 2019.
The victims had hoped for a better life in Britain when they agreed to pay up to £13,000 a head for a “VIP” smuggling service. On October 22 2019, they were crammed into the lorry container to be shipped in pitch black and sweltering conditions and the Old Bailey has heard how they desperately tried to raise the alarm as they ran out of air before reaching British shores.
Marius Mihai Draghici, 50, who was detained by police in Romania last August, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey on Friday to the manslaughter charges as well as conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. Following Draghici’s guilty pleas, prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC noted the defendant’s basis of plea. Mr Emlyn Jones said he was “disinclined to accept there was no financial reward” for Draghici’s involvement even though he could not point to any money being handed over.
