Screenshot evidence gathered by police shows how a people smuggler used TikTok to promote cross Channel journeys.
Jaskirat Singh, 25, from Wolverhampton, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison on Thursday after he admitted conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration at a previous hearing.
Canterbury Crown Court heard how Singh said in a voice note he had been organising cross-Channel journeys for four years, during an apparent bid to recruit someone to his operation.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Singh had earned about £185,000 smuggling people from the UK to France in the back of lorries.
Evidence presented in court demonstrated how Singh used social media to promote the criminal enterprise.
One screenshot features a background of sandy beaches, with text saying “UK to France, safe done”, indicating a safe crossing. Another image shows the back of what appears to be a cargo ship with freight lorries on it, suggesting that people are crossing by concealment within the vehicles.
Also seized were a phone which had messages on organising transport, videos of £20 notes spread out on a bed and a TikTok account apparently advertising cross-Channel journeys.