A people smuggler who referred to migrants as "chickens" has been jailed for just over 10 years for his role in arranging illegal crossings to the UK.
Ramal Briem worked with other gang members to transport people, including six who were brought to Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire in the back of a lorry in March 2024.
The 33-year-old Iraqi national came to the UK illegally by small boat in 2020, after which he claimed asylum. He got involved in the people smuggling network following financial struggles, the National Crime Agency said.
Briem pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration at Wolverhampton Crown Court in October 2024.
Sentencing him earlier at Worcester Crown Court, Judge Andrew Lockhart KC suggested that Briem, who had been living in Wolverhampton, was also deported after his sentencing was complete.
The judge said it was hard to imagine "a more serious example of a people trafficker".
"You were part of an organised crime group (OCG) bringing significant numbers of immigrants from across the globe," he said.
"Victims found themselves threatened, abused and placed at huge risk…you and the people you work with would prey on them."
The main evidence for the case came from seized mobile phones, with messages between Briem and another gang member known as "Kevin".
They discussed the movement of people they referred to as "chickens" waiting for illegal crossings in northern France.
Briem said in one exchange that if he received "20 chickens, two of them were free".
Prosecutor Cathlyn Orchard told the court that Briem also used a boat emoji in the messages.
This breaking news story is being updated.
Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Related internet links
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Europe picks companies to help build Argonaut moon lander - 2'Set up an Army Radio station at President’s Residence': Source close to Katz slams Herzog
- 3NASA chief Jared Isaacman says Texas may get a moonship, not space shuttle Discovery
- 4Golan resident convicted of spying for Iran after passing tank movement, missile-impact data
- 5Investigating the Advantages of a Bank account: A Complete Aide
- New York to require social media platforms to display mental health warnings
- Revealing the Specialty of Food Matching: Improving Culinary Encounters
- The Oscars are moving from ABC to YouTube starting in 2029
- Vote In favor of Your Favored Menial helper Administration
- Find the Interesting Universe of Computerized reasoning: the Capability of man-made intelligence
- Instructions to Investigate Different Open Record Extra Offers Actually
- Space station changes command, setting stage for Crew 11 departure
- AfD faction in western Germany ousts councilman for firebrand speech
- Figure out How to Remain Informed about the Most recent Open Record Extra Offers
