Gang smuggling migrants from UK to France in lorries jailed for over 84 years in total

Mixed · 2The final three members of a people-smuggling network investigated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) were sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on 28 October, bringing the jail terms from the investigation to more than 84 years combined. 1 2 Mixed · 2In total 21 members of the gang have been convicted as a result of the NCA's work. 1 2 Mixed · 2Shuhal Ahmed, 44, described as a ringleader of the East London-based gang, admitted people-smuggling offences and received eight and a half years. 1 2

Mixed · 2Minicab driver Robiul Islam, 50, who drove migrants from London to Kent and helped organise other drivers, was jailed for five years after admitting his role, and fellow minicab driver Qasim Jan, 55, received four years. 1 2 Mixed · 2Five other men were convicted after a three-week trial, concluding on 22 October, and received terms of between four and seven years; they included Suhel Ahmed, who collected cash from migrants and paid taxi drivers, and was jailed for seven years. 1 2 Mixed · 2Romanian and North Macedonian lorry and van drivers were also jailed in earlier hearings, and Romanian Nicusor Lacatus, who connected the group with drivers, received six years after a trial. 1 2

Mixed · 2The NCA evidenced 10 runs intercepted between July 2025 and January 2026; The National reports 196 migrants were detained. 1 2 Mixed · 2Most of the migrants were in the UK legally but were trying to avoid EU entry restrictions; The National says they were mainly from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, with some from Nepal, and wanted to work illegally in the EU. 1 2 Mixed · 2The fee is reported differently: the Express says migrants were charged around £1,400 each, while The National gives $1,800. 1 2

Mixed · 2NCA Senior Investigating Officer John Turner said the entire network had been dismantled "from the organisers right down to the drivers" and hoped the sentences would warn others that "the chances of getting caught have never been higher". 1 2 Centre · 1The National adds context that, with Britain outside the EU, it has become a staging post for migrants dodging EU border checks, and that an Algerian-led gang running a similar operation was dismantled last year. 2