by Keith Hunt

A Vietnamese woman who was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK has been jailed for five years for people smuggling.

Thuy Nguyen was told by a judge she had shown her gratitude for being given a safe haven by exploiting others desperate to enter the country.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 41-year-old mother was caught with two illegal immigrants in a car. Cash totalling £11,500 was in the footwell.

She was arrested during an operation launched in October last year to expose the smuggling ring.

It resulted in 36 suspects in six countries being arrested. Nguyen, a heavy gambler, was said to be a key contact.

Two police officers were in Cotton Lane, Dartford, on October 9 last year when they saw a Volkswagen Jetta with three people in it.

The driver appeared to be lost and then drove off towards the Dartford crossing.

The officers followed the car onto the M25. The car was directed into Clackett Lane services and the two Vietnamese illegal immigrants were discovered.

PC Mannerings said the £11,500 was in a Topshop bag in the footwell.

Asked about the money, Nguyen replied: "I always keep it in the car like that."

Nguyen, of Bow, East London, denied assisting unlawful entry into the UK and conspiracy to assists illegal entry.

She was convicted of the conspiracy offence and the jury could not reach a verdict on the other charge.

Nguyen had been jailed for two years in 2001 for smuggling cigarettes.

Jeffrey Israel, defending, said there was no suggestion Nguyen was trafficking people against their will.

But Judge Michael Carroll said: "Here she is making money from exploiting people who were in her position. I just feel it is not quite cricket, really.

"She manages to get down to the bookies and often to gamble relatively large sums. I think I am entitled to ask where does that come from?"

The judge told Nguyen she had used her right to remain in the UK for all the wrong reasons - to commit serious crime.

"It was not done out of charitable motive or as a sign of relief others should enjoy the same privileges as you have acquired, but for commercial gain," he said.

Nguyen was an important part of the operation and "an enthusiastic facilitator".

Andy Cummins, head of the UK Border Agency's south east region immigration crime team, said: "Nguyen exploited vulnerable immigrants to profit a major international organised criminal network.

"This was a major pan-European investigation involving law enforcement agencies in five European countries.

"Working with the police and other law enforcement partners at home and abroad, we're determined to tackle the organised criminals who prey on vulnerable immigrants, and take action against those who break the law."