Two men have confessed to organizing a large-scale people smuggling operation, transporting thousands of migrants from Iraq, Iran, and Syria into Europe. Migrants used a mix of routes, including plane, boat, and on foot.
Some migrants even recorded their journeys, leaving “TripAdvisor-style” reviews to rate the service offered by the smugglers.
The Key Players and Their Operation
The smugglers, Dilshad Shamo (41) and Ali Khdir (40), both Kurdish men from Iraq and Iran, ran the network using a car wash in a small UK town as a front for their activities. Their illegal operation was uncovered by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA). On Friday, the duo pleaded guilty to facilitating illegal migration.
Migrants paid thousands of euros per person for three tiers of services:
- Basic level: Traveling on foot or by small vehicles like HGVs.
- Mid-level: Transport via cargo ships or yachts.
- Premium level: Air travel.
The money was transferred through the Hawala network, using bankers in Iraq and Istanbul to handle payments. Migrants’ journeys were then approved via WhatsApp once deposits were confirmed.
High-Tech Advertising
Shamo and Khdir used messaging apps and social media to promote their routes. They shared videos of satisfied migrants to attract more clients. One clip showed a family traveling by plane, saying, “We are very happy…may God bless him.” Another featured a man in a lorry with women and children, describing the route as “easy and good.”
Surveillance and Arrest
The NCA monitored the pair’s operations at Fast Track Car Wash in Caerphilly, South Wales. Despite appearing to run a legitimate business, they were deeply involved in smuggling migrants across Europe, including many who crossed the English Channel in small boats.
In April 2023, both men were arrested. Before custody, Khdir was overheard advising Shamo to claim, “We are buying and selling cars” or “transferring money from our home country.” They remained silent during police questioning.
In February 2024, they were charged with facilitating illegal migration and later went on trial at Cardiff Crown Court. They are set to be sentenced on Monday.
Routes Used for Smuggling
Prosecutors revealed the smugglers utilized several key routes:
- Turkey Route: Migrants legally entered Turkey before illegally traveling by ship to Italy.
- Visa Route: Fake visas allowed entry into countries like Belarus or Moldova, with onward travel to Romania, Germany, or Austria.
- Lorry Route: Migrants were hidden in trucks and moved across land or sea to Italy, Germany, and beyond.
- Bosnian Route: Cars or taxis transported migrants through Croatia or Slovenia into Italy.
Government Response
Dame Angela Eagle, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, criticized the operation, saying, “Criminals like Khdir and Shamo put countless lives at risk by smuggling vulnerable people across Europe to make money.”
