A Birmingham man has been convicted for orchestrating a significant operation that facilitated the illegal transportation of migrants across the English Channel, raking in £1.5 million. Pistiwan Jameel, 54, employed a network of contacts within criminal gangs in France to arrange perilous journeys for individuals seeking refuge in the UK.
Jameel’s activities came to light following the smuggling of an Albanian national, Fiorentino Halilaj, into the UK on a small boat in September 2023. During the operation, Jameel reportedly referred to migrants using derogatory terms such as “pigeons” and “sticks.”
He was apprehended after meeting with Artan Halilaj, Fiorentino’s relative, in Birmingham on September 1. During this encounter, cash exchanged hands, and surveillance captured Jameel confirming that he had “three passengers, all good to go.” Fiorentino successfully crossed the Channel shortly after this meeting.
Evidence from the National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that Jameel was deeply entrenched in facilitating illegal crossings and expressed concerns about competition among smugglers affecting his profits.
The NCA monitored telephone conversations where Jameel discussed his operations and mentioned earning at least $2 million (£1.5 million) through his dealings with criminal networks.
Jameel pleaded guilty to two counts of facilitating illegal immigration at Birmingham Crown Court on December 20, 2023. Fiorentino Halilaj also admitted one count of the same offence while Artan Halilaj was found guilty after denying charges against him.
Paul Jones, an operations manager at the NCA, stated: “The evidence we gathered clearly indicates that Pistiwan Jameel was a prolific UK-based broker for people smuggling gangs in France.” He noted that while the true extent of Jameel’s operations may never be fully understood, it was evident he had been involved for a substantial period.
The three men are scheduled for sentencing on December 3 at Birmingham Crown Court.
As authorities continue to crack down on human trafficking organizations, this case underscores the ongoing challenge of illegal immigration across borders and highlights the need for robust enforcement measures to combat such illicit activities.
People Smuggler Convicted in £1.5 Million Operation A significant crackdown on human trafficking has resulted in the conviction of a notorious people smuggler, Pistiwan Jameel, who orchestrated a £1.
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