FLASH
Shkruar nga PamfletiThree people sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison; British police uncover migrant trafficking scheme from trucks to cars in London
A London-based criminal group was using service stations along the M25 motorway to transport migrants who had entered the UK illegally in lorries. During a Metropolitan Police investigation, officers uncovered CCTV footage showing migrants being transferred to other vehicles before being taken to London.
Three members of a group that demanded £11,000 to smuggle people into the UK have been jailed as part of a police crackdown on the activity. Investigators believe up to 20 Albanian nationals were brought to London by the group over the 18 months it operated. However, police say the real number is likely to be much higher.
They were brought to justice after officers tracked the vehicles, analysed CCTV footage at service stations and used surveillance to identify the ring leaders. Officers arrested the three men on June 18 last year and analysed their phones, where they found messages between smugglers and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers arranging meeting points and transfers.
Acting Detective Inspector Stuart Jack , who led the investigation, said: "The team worked tirelessly to put these three criminals behind bars, where they can no longer exploit vulnerable people. Our investigation has shown that, at its core, this was all about money, an unlawful conspiracy for profit, driven entirely by profit.
We know that people who enter the UK illegally are often further exploited upon arrival or forced to work for the organised crime networks that brought them in, fuelling further crime in the capital and beyond. I would urge people, particularly drivers of heavy goods vehicles, to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police. Despite what some may believe, this is not a victimless crime.”
At Southwark Crown Court on Friday 27 March, the three defendants were convicted of conspiracy to facilitate a breach of UK immigration law by a non-British national.
Toni Liko, 42, of Ealing Road, Wembley, was sentenced to 5 years and 8 months in prison
Klement Gjika, 44, of Hemingford Road, Islington, was sentenced to 5 years and 8 months in prison
Stelian Bodnariu, 37, of Park Way, Edgware, was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in prison
After a seven-week trial that began on Monday 8 December at Southwark Crown Court, the three men were found guilty by a jury on Thursday 12 February.
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