UK Investigators Aid in First-Ever Arrest of Human Traffickers in Iraq
For the first time, UK investigators have helped arrest suspected human traffickers in Iraq, targeting a network linked to a UK-based smuggler.
Iraq, UK, Human Trafficking, National Crime Agency, Migrants
Sulaymaniyah: So, get this! UK investigators just helped nab some suspected human traffickers in Iraq for the first time ever. Pretty wild, right?
They teamed up with local security to catch three guys who are believed to have trafficked around 1,000 migrants from the Kurdish region. Talk about a big operation!
These suspects are thought to be connected to a smuggler named Amanj Hassan Zada, who was locked up in the UK last year for 17 years. He was really bold, advertising dangerous crossings in the English Channel.
Rob Jones from the National Crime Agency (NCA) said this was a big deal because it all started with their work in the UK. They followed a trail of evidence that led them all the way to Iraq.
Now, they’re making it clear that they’re serious about tackling these global crime networks. The three suspects are expected to face charges in the Kurdish Region of Iraq, where they were operating.
One of them is said to be a money guy, using a secretive banking method called Hawala. Another suspect, 38 years old, coordinated yachts to ferry migrants to Greece or Italy before they made their way to northern Europe or the UK.
The third guy was in charge of organizing groups of migrants ready to travel. It’s a real mess, and these gangs are putting lives at risk with their lies about safe journeys.
Zada even flaunted his smuggling business on social media, using videos of people he helped as testimonials. Can you believe that?
Martin Clarke from the NCA mentioned how they traced this whole network from Preston in the UK back to Sulaymaniyah in Iraq. They’ve had great cooperation from local agencies, which is crucial in tackling these dangerous gangs.
The UK government is really pushing to crack down on these traffickers, especially since over 30,000 people crossed the channel in small boats last year. They want to dismantle these criminal groups that exploit desperate travelers.
With the NCA ramping up their efforts, they’ve arrested 227 suspects last year and are currently investigating 70 more smuggling gangs. It’s a tough battle, but they’re on it!