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Suspected head of people smuggling network arrested in Derby

An Iraqi man suspected of heading a criminal network that smuggled hundreds of migrants into the UK has been arrested by National Crime Agency officers.

Rekawt Kayani, aged 34, was apprehended on a European Arrest Warrant at his home address in the Normanton area of Derby last Wednesday morning.

Kayani, who was one of three men detained as part of a joint investigation with the French OCRIEST, now faces extradition to France.

It is alleged Kayani organised numerous smuggling runs including one in June 2015 when 68 migrants were found inside four lorries at the Harwich International Port. Thirty five of the migrants were from Afghanistan, 22 from China, 10 from Vietnam and one was from Russia.

Officers also believe Kayani orchestrated runs from Dieppe to Newhaven, and in January 2016 seven migrants were found crammed inside a concealed compartment in the back of a van. Five of the migrants were from Vietnam and two were from Iraq.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Kayani appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court recently and has been remanded in custody until his extradition hearing on 5 July.

NCA Senior Officer Mick Pope said: “Kayani was targeted by the UK Organised Immigration Crime Taskforce as we believe he is responsible for smuggling hundreds of migrants into the UK.

“We will continue to work with agencies in the UK and overseas to target anyone that preys on vulnerable people in order to line their own pockets.”

The two other men arrested – a 29-year-old from Derby and a 32-year-old from Gillingham - have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

The Taskforce, called Project Invigor, is primarily made up of officers from the NCA, Immigration Enforcement, Border Force, the Crown Prosecution Service and the police.

 

Channel website: http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/

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