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Two mini-marts in Leicestershire, connected to an individual convicted of people smuggling, have been temporarily closed by local authorities following a BBC investigation. The man in question, Twana Jamal, who has been called “the godfather” of migrant camps in northern France, was found operating one of these shops on the outskirts of Leicester, in Blaby. Reporters observed him working illegally at both stores, involved in activities such as making deliveries, driving a BMW without a valid licence, and allegedly using a false identity.
The two shops, both named Candy Corner, were shut down by Blaby District Council for 72 hours under anti-social behaviour legislation. Plans are underway to seek a three-month closure order at Leicester Magistrates Court. Jamal, reportedly seeking asylum in the UK, told the BBC that he applied but was still awaiting a decision. His real identity on any asylum application remains unclear. UK regulations stipulate that individuals who have served more than 12 months in prison abroad should be denied asylum. Jamal, an Iraqi Kurd, received a five-year sentence in France in 2016 after being branded one of the most prolific people smugglers apprehended, with earnings reportedly reaching £100,000 per week by facilitating illegal Channel crossings primarily via freight lorries at that time.
During court proceedings, Jamal claimed mistaken identity but was ultimately convicted and informed that he faced deportation to Iraqi Kurdistan after completing his sentence. After receiving a tip-off, the BBC tracked him down to Leicester, where he boasted in a recorded conversation, “We know everyone in this city, this city is ours.” He also mentioned earning “good money” through jobs like transporting cigarettes from a warehouse, receiving £300 per task, and asserted, “No-one touches us here. Even the police won’t stop you.” Observations over several days confirmed the two shops were operating late into the night, selling products such as sweets and vapes.
Following the BBC’s exposure of the issue, local Liberal Democrat councillors revealed prior complaints about the shops had been lodged with authorities but had not resulted in any visible action. Councillor Paul Hartshorn reported filing five complaints to Leicestershire County Council concerning illegal vape sales, while Sue Jordan stated she had contacted Trading Standards three times. The county council issued a statement emphasizing ongoing collaboration with police and Blaby District Council to combat high street crime, acknowledging the national challenge of illegal tobacco and vape sales and affirming their commitment to addressing such incidents.
The location of one shop, adjacent to the constituency office of South Leicestershire’s Conservative MP Alberto Costa, has also drawn sharp criticism. Costa condemned Jamal’s activities as “utterly unacceptable,” stating he had raised the matter with Leicestershire Police and planned to escalate the case to the Home Office. He declared, “Let’s be clear this man should not be in Blaby, should not be in this country,” adding that the proximity of Jamal’s business to a Member of Parliament’s office “speaks volumes about the character of this individual.” Leicestershire Police confirmed they are cooperating with local authorities and committing to increased patrols in the area.
Jamal’s presence in the UK has highlighted concerns about the robustness of border controls, particularly regarding the identification of asylum seekers with serious criminal backgrounds overseas. Immigration officials noted that post-Brexit circumstances have complicated efforts to access criminal records from certain countries. The BBC’s wider investigation uncovered more than 20 convicted people smugglers residing in the UK, with law enforcement in Europe confirming convictions for 15 of these individuals. While asylum seekers are fingerprinted and checked against UK police databases, foreign convictions may not be reflected in these records. The Home Office responded by emphasizing that all asylum applications undergo mandatory identity and criminality checks and that the UK maintains agreements for sharing criminal record information. They also highlighted that immigration enforcement is currently operating at its highest level ever, citing an 83% increase in arrests related to illegal working
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