People smugglers got six migrants onto pre-booked flights from France to the UK on five separate occasions between 2019 and 2020, Chelmsford Crown Court was told. They used “lookalike” passports to sneak migrants into Britain on pre-booked flights, where they claimed asylum on arrival. The migrants were handed passports similar to their own, used for initial check-in and boarding in France.
The Telegraph reported the smugglers were Bassam Al Anzi, a 36-year-old Kuwaiti national, and Turkish national Abdulaziz Al Ali, 28. There were also three unsuccessful attempts as several inconsistencies were spotted during boarding flights to the UK. After landing in Britain, each person identified themselves as an undocumented migrant seeking asylum.
They paid £8,000 to the smugglers. Home Office Immigration Enforcement investigation into the arrivals led officers to the two men, who were arrested. At the court, Al Anzi was found guilty of facilitation and fraud offences. Al Ali was found guilty of facilitation.
Following their conviction, the men were remanded in custody pending sentencing and are likely to face imprisonment for their offences.
Dame Angela Eagle, the border security minister, said: “No matter whether it is by boat or by air, we are taking action against the criminals who exploit our borders.
“This Government has put forward a serious, credible plan to restore order to our asylum system, including tougher legislation, increased returns and enhanced enforcement activity to target illegal working. Anyone who seeks to smuggle people into the country in this way faces arrest, prosecution and a jail sentence.”
Chris Foster, the Home Office criminal and financial investigations regional lead, said: “This case is an example of the excellent collaborative working we employ to tackle the unscrupulous criminal networks orchestrating illegal entry into the UK.
“Border Force teams were able to quickly apprehend the illegal entrants, whilst CFI acted swiftly to investigate the individuals behind the criminal scheme and bring them before the courts. As with many gangs we encounter, this was a money-making machine for them, with migrants being charged upwards of £8000 for the journey between France and the UK.
“Through investigative and enforcement activity like this, we will put a stop to them to protect our borders and safeguard vulnerable people.”
