Convicted People Smuggler Found Living in UK Under False Name

Twana Jamal, an Iraqi Kurd convicted in France for people smuggling, was found living and working in Leicestershire under a false name, The Independent reported. French prosecutors described him at the time of his 2016 sentencing as one of the most successful smugglers caught, after he operated near Dunkirk from 2012 to 2016 and charged between £4,500 and £5,000 per crossing.

He reportedly earned as much as £100,000 a week.

The BBC located Jamal working in a warehouse moving cigarettes. When confronted, he said he was making “good money” and added that “No-one touches us here” and “Even the police won't stop you” when asked about driving without a licence. The BBC identified more than 20 active smugglers now in the UK, some with overseas convictions.

Lucy Morton of the Immigration Services Union said Brexit ended UK access to an EU data-sharing agreement, making it harder to check criminal records of asylum seekers. “If we were able to share databases, even if just with our nearest neighbours, with Germany, with Belgium, with Holland and France, say - then, yes, we'd know that they had a conviction for people smuggling,” she said.

Asylum seekers’ fingerprints are checked only against UK police databases, which do not necessarily reveal foreign convictions.

The Home Office stated that all asylum claimants undergo mandatory security checks for identity, immigration, security and criminality purposes. A Merlin Strategy poll for The Independent found 62 per cent of respondents believe immigration levels have worsened since Brexit, while 8 per cent believe they have improved.

Fifty-five per cent said they want a return to freedom of movement with the EU, and 16 per cent opposed it.