Former 'Godfather' of Migrant Camps Identified in UK
A man described by French authorities as a highly successful people smuggler, who received a five-year prison sentence in France in 2016, has reportedly been discovered living in Leicestershire, UK. Twana Jamal, an Iraqi Kurd, is believed to be pursuing asylum while allegedly engaging in unauthorized employment.
French prosecutors had previously stated that Jamal, then 36, was earning up to £100,000 per week by facilitating illegal crossings of the English Channel. Following a recent tip-off, an investigation tracked Jamal to the village of Blaby, where he was observed working and driving a vehicle without a valid license, potentially under an assumed name.
Concerns Over Border Controls and International Data Sharing
Jamal's presence in the UK has prompted concerns regarding the efficacy of current border controls in vetting asylum seekers with prior serious criminal convictions in other countries. Immigration officials have indicated that since the UK's departure from the European Union, accessing criminal records from certain foreign nations has become more challenging. Law enforcement sources in mainland Europe have also reportedly stated that approximately 15 other convicted people smugglers are currently residing in the UK under false identities.
Jamal's case emerged during a broader investigation into people smuggling operations, which also led to the arrest of another prominent figure, Kardo Jaf. Both Jamal and Jaf have been linked to the 'Ranya Boys,' a group of Kurdish gangs that European law enforcement agencies suggest have significantly influenced cross-Channel people smuggling over the past decade and a half.
Details from French Conviction and UK Presence
During his 2016 trial in France, it was revealed that Jamal had operated from the Grand Synthe camp near Dunkirk between approximately 2012 and 2016. He reportedly charged individuals £4,500-£5,000 for passage to the UK, primarily utilizing freight lorries at that time. He was known in the camps by the nickname "Pasha," a term signifying high rank. Despite his claims of mistaken identity, Jamal was found guilty and informed he would face deportation to Iraqi Kurdistan after his release.
Despite serving time in a French prison, Jamal entered the UK and, when approached, confirmed he had applied for asylum and was awaiting a decision. UK law typically mandates refusal for asylum claims from individuals who have served 12 months or more in an overseas prison. However, it is speculated that Jamal's criminal record may not have been fully checked, or he may have used one of several aliases he was known to employ during his operations.
Allegations of Illegal Activities and Confrontation
Sources indicated Jamal was living in Leicester and allegedly boasted about his influence in the city and his involvement in illicit activities, including "moving cigarettes." He also reportedly admitted to driving without a license, expressing little concern about potential legal repercussions.
Further investigation led to two mini-marts in Blaby, both named Candy Corner, where Jamal was observed working. Undercover visits confirmed his identity, despite him introducing himself as "Sultan" – a name he also uses on social media, combined with "Pasha." Observations over several days showed him both working and driving, activities that would typically be prohibited for an asylum seeker.
When directly confronted, Jamal denied any involvement in people smuggling or having been jailed in France, claiming to have been in the UK since 2009. When presented with a photograph of himself in a French courtroom from 2016, he did not deny it was him but dismissed its significance. He also denied working at the mini-mart, despite being observed doing so, and refused to provide his name, stating the Home Office and immigration services were aware of it. Regarding his unlicensed driving, he responded, "So what? Did I hit you?"
Challenges in Cross-Border Information Exchange
The case highlights broader issues. European law enforcement officials believe at least 15 other convicted people smugglers are living in the UK under false names, having been convicted in countries like France, Germany, and Belgium. One such individual, convicted in France, is reportedly selling used cars in Manchester and is suspected of continued involvement in smuggling. Another, also with a French conviction, is allegedly in Blackpool, claiming asylum under a false name and publicizing his granted leave to remain on social media.
Lucy Morton of the Immigration Services Union noted that the UK's departure from the EU has complicated data-sharing agreements, making it harder to check criminal and immigration records of asylum seekers. While asylum seekers are fingerprinted and checked against UK police databases upon arrival, these systems may not reflect convictions from other nations.
The Home Office stated that "All asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to confirm their identity for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks." They also noted that the UK has "a number of agreements with countries which enable the sharing of criminal record information" and that immigration enforcement actions are at a historical high.
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