Ten people have been taken into police custody in France for the death of 27 migrants in the Channel.
The victims died attempting the dangerous crossing from France to the UK in November.
French police said 15 people, aged between 18 and 41, were initially arrested in connection with the sting operation, but five were later released.
The suspects were arrested by authorities in the north of the country and the Paris region.
It has been reported that they are all part of an Afghan smuggling ring.
They are due in court later Thursday.
The arrests come after 269 people crossed the Channel to the UK in small boats on Wednesday.
Six boats were intercepted by British authorities, with women and children found on board.
Border Force and Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) vessels brought the migrants ashore at Dover and Dungeness in Kent after their response.
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At least 444 people cross the Channel – highest daily figure for two months
The crossings bring the total number of arrivals to the UK so far this year to 12,606, up from 5,911 at this stage in 2021 and 2,449 in 2020.
Tuesday, the Nationality and Borders Act (NABA) comes into forcemeaning anyone caught piloting a boat carrying migrants across the English Channel could be sentenced to life behind bars.
The measures also increased the maximum penalty for illegal entry into the UK or overstaying a visa.
Those convicted of the crime previously faced six months in prison, but could now receive a four-year sentence.
Other measures have been put in place regarding asylum applications and new powers for authorities to search ships for migrants have also been put in place.
Last month, the government launched a controversial policy aimed at send asylum seekers to Rwanda.
