By GB News (World News) | Created at 2024-11-22 20:46:34 | Updated at 2024-11-29 12:34:47
6 days ago
Two car wash bosses in Wales have been convicted of running a people smuggling ring moving thousands of migrants across Europe.
Dilshad Shamo, 41, and Ali Khdir, 40, pleaded guilty today at Cardiff Crown Court to facilitating the movement of migrants through Europe.
The pair were found to be part of a larger organised crime group moving thousands of migrants from Iraq, Iran and Syria through multiple European countries.
Money for the smuggling operations was handled through Hawala bankers in Iraq and Istanbul, who managed deposits from migrants seeking specific routes.
Dilshad Shamo was one of two men found to be part of a larger organised crime group moving thousands of migrants from Iraq, Iran and Syria through multiple European countries
NCA
The criminal network stretched across Turkey, Belarus, Moldova, Bosnia and multiple EU countries including Italy, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Germany and France.
NCA investigators believe many of the migrants ultimately reached the UK.
The operation's tiered service system offered basic travel by foot or vehicle at the lowest level.
Mid-tier services included transport via cargo ships or yachts.
The premium tier provided air travel with visas, commanding the highest prices.
The pair used WhatsApp extensively to coordinate with smugglers across Europe, receiving confirmations once deposits were secured.
They promoted their services through social media, sharing videos of successful journeys from previous migrants.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Ali Khdir promoted their services through social media, sharing videos of successful journeys from previous migrants
NCA
In one video, a family travelling by plane praised the service, stating: "We are very happy... this is the visa, may god bless him, we are really happy".
Another video showed a man in an HGV declaring: "Lorry route agreement, crossing agreement with the knowledge of driver. Here we have men, women and children. Thank god the route was easy and good."
These videos were used to advertise their smuggling routes to potential clients.
NCA Branch Commander Derek Evans highlighted the criminals' double life, stating: "While on the surface they seemed to be operating a successful car wash, they were actually part of a prolific people smuggling group moving migrants across Europe and taking thousands in payment."
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, condemned their actions, saying: "Criminals like Khdir and Shamo put countless lives at risk smuggling vulnerable people through Europe in a shameless attempt to make cash."
She emphasised the government's commitment to tackling such crimes through the new Border Security Command and increased efforts in transit countries.
Shamo and Khdir were initially arrested in April 2023, with Khdir telling his accomplice to claim they were merely "buying and selling cars" and transferring money from their home country.
Both men responded with no comment during police interviews.
They were formally charged in February 2024 with offences related to facilitating migrants through Europe.
After a 10-day trial at Cardiff Crown Court beginning on November 11, both men entered guilty pleas to all charges today.
A further hearing will be held on Monday before sentencing takes place.
Detective Sergeant Simon Thomas from Gwent Police praised the successful inter-agency cooperation in bringing the criminals to justice.
