Britain jails two for smuggling 41 Syrian nationals into country

The Community News/London

The British government on Tuesday jailed two persons for allegedly smuggling 41 Syrian nationals via common travel area between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Mohamed Awad of London and Ahmad Omar of Belfast were reportedly part of an organized crime syndicate which smuggled people into Britain.

Mohamed Awad was sentenced to two years and eight jail term at Laganside Crown Court in Belfast for the crime. While Ahmad Omar was jailed for two years in March this year.

Awad and Omar were arrested after a probe was conducted by UK Home Office’s Criminal and Financial Investigations unit.

In its investigation, the unit found out that the international smuggling racket used to charge 5,000 pounds per person for passage to the country.

The duo had reportedly made 200,000 pounds by smuggling the Syrian nationals in November 2021.

The duo also used to arrange fake Ids for their stay as illegal immigrants in England and Awad was the most trusted operator in crime syndicate.

Commenting on the development, the unit’s deputy director Ben Thomas said, “We are committed to dismantling people-smuggling networks, and will stop at nothing to bring them to justice.”

Thomas thanked Northern Ireland police officials for their assistance in cracking the syndicate and vowed to work together to nab such culprits in future too.

It is worth mentioning here that UK government has stepped up action against illegal immigrants and formulating new law for their speedy repatriation.