Smugglers jailed after sneaking in migrants to the UK

The three east London men used GPS trackers to trace the vehicles that had hidden people inside as part of their operation.

Waqas Ikram, from Dagenham, was caught red-handed attempting to break into a vehicle to put four migrants inside at South Mimms services on March 30, 2021.

The 41-year-old was working for a smuggling organised crime group.

Ikram’s iPhone was also seized following his arrest and it had many conversations with two other men outlining their involvement in a separate criminal networking – charging migrants up to £7,000 a head to bring them to the UK.

Evidence showed multiple successful and unsuccessful crossings through a lorry in 2019.

Waqas Ikram (Image: NCA)

Ikram, as well as his associate Najib Khan, 39, also purchased an inflatable boat to bring in more migrants to the UK over the Channel.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) linked Ikram’s group with other drivers and a transport manager who were previously jailed in the Netherlands and France for unsuccessfully trying to transport 32 migrants.

Phone conversations showed that the two used GPS trackers to follow lorries that were broken into to smuggle the migrants without the drivers’ knowledge.

Jalal Tarakhail, 25, from Ilford, was also involved in the operation as he helped to hide 16 people, 11 of whom were children.

He also assisted in finding storage locations for the vehicles used to transport migrants.

Jalal Tarakhail (Image: NCA)

Ikram was arrested in 2021 with people smuggling offences and he was released on bail.

In July 2022, Ikram and Khan were charged with three counts of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration.

Ikram pleaded guilty to the charge, while Khan went to trial and was subsequently found guilty.

Tarakhail was arrested in August 2023 at London Gatwick, travelling back to the UK from Dubai. He was convicted of one count of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration in February 2024.

On August 2 at Oxford Crown Court, Ikram was sentenced to nine years, Khan was sentenced to nine years, and Tarakhail was sentenced to four years.

Najib Khan (Image: NCA)

Andy Noyes, NCA branch commander at Slough, said: “These individuals risked the lives of others, charging them substantial sums for a dangerous and illegal journey.

“Ikram and Khan even went as far as purchasing a small boat, shifting their attention from HGVs in an effort to maximise their profits.

“Tackling organised immigration crime remains a priority for the NCA. We are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle the networks involved, and pursue every avenue available to save lives.”