Three Arrested in Iraq Over Alleged UK People Smuggling Links
Three men were detained in Iraq for their suspected involvement in a people smuggling network linked to the UK
Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, People Smuggling, Human Trafficking, National Crime Agency
Sulaymaniyah: So, three guys got arrested in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. They’re suspected of being part of a people smuggling ring that was moving migrants to the UK and Europe.
These guys are said to be connected to Amanj Hasan Zada, a smuggler who got locked up last year for helping people cross the Channel in small boats.
Right now, all three are in custody and facing human trafficking charges. The National Crime Agency is on it, working with local authorities.
This is the first time the NCA has teamed up with the region’s Security Council for something like this. Pretty significant, right?
One of the arrested is a 38-year-old who allegedly coordinated the transport of migrants using yachts to get them into Greece or Italy. Each boat was packed with 60 to 70 people!
Then there’s a banker in his 40s, who’s accused of handling money for Zada. He used a system called Hawala, which is a pretty informal way of transferring cash.
The third guy, in his 30s, was apparently a middle-man, gathering migrants for the smuggling operation linked to Zada.
All three are from Sulaymaniyah and were picked up between January 8 and 12. It’s a big deal, especially since Zada was already convicted for similar crimes.
Zada, who’s from Preston in the UK, was involved in three separate crossings last year with Kurdish migrants. He got a hefty 17-year sentence for his actions.
He even used social media to promote his smuggling services, posting videos of grateful migrants. One video even showed him being celebrated at a party in Iraq!
Martin Clarke from the NCA said these smuggling gangs are putting lives at risk, spreading false claims about safe journeys. It’s a serious issue, especially with so many lives lost trying to cross the Channel.