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A BBC investigation has revealed that Twana Jamal, a convicted people smuggler once labeled as the “godfather” of French migrant camps, is currently living in Leicestershire. It is believed that he is seeking asylum in the UK while working illegally. Jamal received a five-year prison sentence in France in 2016, where authorities recognized him as one of the most effective people smugglers apprehended. At the time, prosecutors described the Iraqi Kurd, who was 36 years old during his conviction, as having earned up to £100,000 weekly for smuggling illegal migrants across the English Channel.
Following a tip-off earlier this year, BBC reporters traced Jamal to the village of Blaby. They observed him working, driving without a license, and apparently using a false identity. His presence in the UK raises significant questions regarding the effectiveness of current border controls in identifying asylum seekers with serious criminal backgrounds abroad. Immigration officers explained that since the UK’s departure from the European Union, it has become increasingly difficult to access criminal records from some countries. Additionally, officials in mainland Europe informed the BBC that at least 15 convicted people smugglers are thought to be living in the UK under false names.
Jamal’s link to the “Ranya Boys,” a Kurdish gang reportedly dominating cross-channel smuggling for the past 15 years, was confirmed through his trial records in France. From approximately 2012 to 2016, Jamal operated from the Grand Synthe camp near Dunkirk, charging between £4,500 and £5,000 per person to facilitate illegal crossings to the UK. Unlike more recent methods involving small boats, freight lorries were preferred during that period. Known by the nickname “Pasha,” a Turkish term meaning a high-ranking individual, Jamal denied the charges in court, claiming mistaken identity. Nevertheless, he was convicted and ordered to be deported to Iraqi Kurdistan following his sentence.
BBC reporters arranged a call with Jamal, who admitted residing in Leicester, confidently stating, “We know everyone in this city, this city is ours.” He also revealed that he was making “good money” working in activities such as moving cigarettes from a warehouse. Although he acknowledged driving without a license, Jamal expressed no fear of arrest or investigation, declaring, “No-one touches us here. Even the police won’t stop you.” Further investigations led to the discovery of two mini-marts called Candy Corner in Blaby, less than a mile apart on the high street, which are suspected to be connected to him. Observations revealed ongoing activities at the stores, which sell items including sweets and vapes late into the evening.
Jamal’s case is not unique. European law enforcement officials have identified 15 convicted people smugglers from countries including France, Germany, and Belgium who they believe have sought asylum in the UK under false identities. One such individual, convicted in France, is reportedly living in Manchester and engaged in selling used cars while possibly still involved in smuggling. Another is based in Blackpool and has publicly boasted about their leave to remain on social media despite having a French conviction. Since Brexit, the UK no longer shares certain criminal and immigration information with multiple EU countries, complicating efforts to verify asylum seekers’ backgrounds. Lucy Morton of the Immigration Services Union emphasized that sharing databases with neighboring countries like Germany, Belgium, Holland, and France would help identify people with smuggling convictions.
While asylum seekers’ fingerprints are checked against UK police databases upon arrival, these checks do not necessarily reveal convictions from other countries. The Home Office stated, “All asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to confirm their identity for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks.” The Minister for Border Security, Alex Norris, reiterated in November that details about these checks are withheld from the public to maintain their integrity. The Home Office also mentioned existing agreements permitting the sharing of criminal record information and highlighted that immigration enforcement is currently at record levels, with arrests for illegal working increasing by 83%
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