Hull man jailed for planning to smuggle migrants into UK in small boats

Nzar Jabar Mohamad, 33, of Waterloo Street, Hull, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for facilitating illegal immigration after a recorded conversation that took place at his house.

The investigation was held by National Crime Agency officers and Mohammed admitted a charge of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration during a hearing at Hull Crown Court on 21 April.

National Crime Officers recorded a conversation which took place in Mohamad’s home in Hull, he said “I brought too many women, I swear to God I can say I brought more than a hundred over.”

He also referred to a £6,500 dinghy he had bought which had gone missing. Migrants were to be charged up to £10,000 each to make the crossing to the UK.

The court heard how the crime group he was part of initially smuggled migrants from Belgium and the Netherlands across the channel in HGVs, but diversified into using inflatable dinghies.

NCA Branch Commander Martin Clarke said:

“Heartless criminals like Mohamad prey on the desperation of migrants seeking to cross the channel.

“The primary motivation of these individuals is financial gain, and they could not care less about the welfare of those on small boats or in the back of lorries.

“Unfortunately for Mohamad, his cover was blown while he was arranging a dangerous small boat crossing. Our intervention helped protect the welfare of those he was seeking to exploit.

“Working alongside our partners we are determined to do everything possible to disrupt and dismantle the organised criminals behind this despicable trade.”