33 migrants were discovered during the vehicle's interception
Two men have pleaded guilty to immigration offences after 33 migrants were discovered in the back of a lorry at Dover.
Zahid Khan and Qazi Raziq were arrested after the migrants were found inside the vehicle on February 4, 2026.
The lorry was intercepted as it was preparing to leave the UK on a ferry bound for France.
The migrants were nationals of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Their discovery followed a joint investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and West Midlands Police.
Khan admitted two counts of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration into the UK, while Raziq pleaded guilty to one count.
The pair changed their pleas to guilty on what was due to be the first day of their trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
Both men followed proceedings with the assistance of interpreters, with Urdu and Pashto interpretation provided in court.
Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel Andrew Jackson told the court that the Crown accepted the pleas.
The court heard that Raziq’s involvement appeared to have been “at the invitation of the other defendant”.
Jackson said Raziq had provided practical support to Khan.
The 33 migrants were discovered during the vehicle’s interception at Dover as it was about to leave the UK on a ferry to France.
They were identified as being from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The incident formed part of a joint investigation between the NCA and West Midlands Police into suspected organised immigration offences.
Khan, of Sheldon Heath Road, Birmingham, was told by Judge Peter Carr that he would remain in custody until his sentencing hearing.
Raziq, of Herrick Road, Birmingham, was permitted to remain on bail.
His bail comes with several conditions, including a requirement not to contact his co-defendant and to abide by a curfew.
Both men are due to return to Birmingham Crown Court for sentencing on October 1, 2026.
The guilty pleas mean the case will now proceed to sentencing rather than the planned trial.
The court will consider the offences admitted by each defendant when determining their sentences.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by UK law enforcement agencies to investigate suspected organised immigration crime.
The involvement of nationals from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh also means the case has links to three countries with significant South Asian communities in the UK.
No further details about the individual circumstances of the 33 migrants were given during the hearing.
Further details about the offences and the roles played by Khan and Raziq may be heard when the pair return to court for sentencing in October.
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