Prolific Criminals hid Migrants in Lorries to smuggle into UK

Three men have been jailed for a total of 22 years for their roles in an organised crime group linked to the smuggling of migrants into the UK by lorry.

Jalal Tarakhail, Najib Khan and Waqas Ikram used GPS trackers to trace vehicles they had hidden people inside.

Ikram was detained at South Mimms services on March 30, 2021, where he was caught trying to break into an HGV to put four migrants inside, unbeknownst to the driver.

At the time of his arrest, he was working for a people smuggling organised crime group led by Mohammed Mokter Hossain, who was later jailed for more than 10 years as part of the NCA’s Operation Symbolry.

An iPhone belonging to Ikram, seized after his arrest, contained several conversations with Khan and Tarakhail detailing their involvement in a separate criminal network, charging migrants up to £7,000 a head to bring them to the UK.

Evidence showed they had been involved in several successful and unsuccessful crossings via lorry in 2019.

Ikram and Khan went on to purchase a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to smuggle migrants to the UK over the Channel.

Drivers and a transport manager involved in two early unsuccessful attempts – involving a total of 32 migrants – were jailed in the Netherlands and France.

The NCA were able to prove that the crime group had been involved in both attempts and accessed further conversations between Ikram and Khan showing they were using GPS trackers to follow lorries that had been broken into without the drivers’ knowledge.

Tarakhail was involved in the construction of a concealment in a lorry that was later found to have 16 migrants inside, 11 of whom were children, en route to Newhaven.

He also assisted with finding storage locations for other vehicles used to transport migrants to the UK.

Ikram was arrested by the NCA for his role in Operation Symbolry in 2021, charged with people smuggling offences and released on bail by the court.

Both he and Khan were detained in connection with further offences by the NCA in July 2022 and charged with three counts of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration.

Ikram pleaded guilty to the charge, but Khan went to trial and was subsequently found guilty.

Tarakhail was arrested in August 2023 at London Gatwick, travelling back to the UK from Dubai.

He was convicted of one count of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration in February 2024.

At Oxford Crown Court, both Ikram and Khan were jailed for nine years each.

Tarakhail was sentenced to four years in prison.

Andy Noyes, NCA Branch Commander at Slough, said:

“These individuals risked the lives of others, charging them substantial sums for a dangerous and illegal journey.”

“Ikram and Khan even went as far as purchasing a small boat, shifting their attention from HGVs in an effort to maximise their profits.

“Tackling organised immigration crime remains a priority for the NCA.

“We are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle the networks involved, and pursue every avenue available to save lives.”