A man arrested in connection with the deaths of at least 27 people who drowned attempting to cross the English Channel has been convicted in France.Harem Ahmed Abwbaker is one of six people convicted of manslaughter in connection with the crossing in November 2021. The 27 people, mainly Iraqi Kurds, were all in a dinghy which sank while making the crossing. Only two people survived, while four still remain missing. National Crime Agency (NCA) officials said it remains the biggest single loss of life in the Channel linked to small boats.Abwbaker was tracked down by NCA investigators to a hotel in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, where he was arrested on in November 2022, having come in to the country in the back of a lorry.Following the arrest he was extradited to France to face manslaughter, human trafficking and organised crime charges in July 2023.Yesterday, September 30, Abwbaker was sentenced to eight years in prison, with the other five members of the smuggling network given sentences of between six and ten years. Abwbaker was sentenced to eight years in prison | NCAThe gang, made up of Afghan and Kurdish members, charged migrants around €3,000 (£2,560.69) each to make the crossing.Another seven people were convicted of other offences linked to the event, including facilitating illegal immigration and being members of an organised crime group. They were given sentences ranging from six months suspended to four years in prison.The trial at the Tribunal Judiciaire de Paris found Abwbaker was one of the key ringleaders of the gang. Small boat crossings have hit their lowest levels since 2020 | REUTERSNCA Deputy Director of Investigations Craig Turner said: “This was a tragic incident which starkly demonstrated the callous nature of the gangs involved in organising Channel boat crossings.”Abwbaker and his co-conspirators did not care about the dangers of putting an over-loaded and completely unsuitable dinghy into the sea. They just wanted to get paid. Sadly, many of those on board the boat ended up paying with their lives.”The NCA worked closely with our French partners on this investigation, and I pay tribute to the French police and prosecutors who have worked to get justice for the families of those whose lives were lost.”Cases like this are exactly why tackling people smuggling remains a top priority for the NCA, and we continue to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle the cruel organised criminal networks involved.”Anna Turley has said gang ringleaders will face the ‘full force of the law’ | GB NEWSMinister for Border Security and Asylum, Anna Turley, said: “My thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives in this appalling incident.”Yesterday’s sentencing sends a clear message, anyone who puts lives on the line just to line their pockets will face the full force of the law.”I thank the NCA and French authorities, whose close cooperation has ensured that those responsible face justice for their unforgiveable crimes.”