People smuggling gang jailed after South Mimms arrest

Waqas Ikram, 41, of Beadles Parade, Rainham Road in Dagenham, was sentenced to nine years behind bars after pleading guilty to three charges of conspiring to facilitate a breach of immigration law.

Fellow gang member Najib Khan, 39, of Medici Close in Ilford, was found guilty of the same charges and also sentenced to nine years, while Jalal Tarakhail, 24, of Eastwood Road, Ilford, was found guilty of one count of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration and jailed for four years.

Waqas Ikram. (Image: National Crime Agency)

Ikram was detained during an National Crime Agency operation at South Mimms services on March 30, 2021, after he was caught red-handed attempting to break into an HGV to put four migrants inside, unbeknownst to the driver.

At the time of his arrest, Ikram was working for a people smuggling organised crime group headed by Mokter Hossain, who was later jailed for more than 10 years as part of the NCA’s Operation Symbolry.

An iPhone belonging to Ikram which was seized following his arrest contained numerous conversations with Khan and Tarakhail, outlining their involvement in a separate criminal network, charging migrants up to £7,000 to bring them to the UK.

Evidence showed the trio had been involved in a number of crossings via lorry in 2019, while Ikram and Khan had purchased a rigid hull inflatable boat to smuggling migrants across the Channel to the UK.

Drivers and a transport manager involved in two early unsuccessful attempts - involving a total of 32 migrants - were jailed in the Netherlands and France, with the NCA able to prove that the crime gang had been involved in both attempts.

Jalal Tarakhail. (Image: NCA)

They also found that GPS trackers were being used to follow lorries that had been broken into without the drivers’ knowledge.

Messages also revealed that Tarakhail was involved in the construction of a concealment that hid 16 migrants within the rear of a truck, all of whom were safeguarded after being found at the Hook of Holland port.

He was also involved in organising a concealment in a lorry that was later found to have 16 migrants inside, 11 of whom were children, en route to Newhaven.

Ikram was arrested by the NCA for his role in Operation Symbolry in 2021, and charged with people smuggling offences before being released on bail by the court.

Najib Khan. (Image: National Crime Agency)

Both he and Khan were detained in connection with further offences in July 2022, and charged with three counts of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration.

Tarakhail was arrested in August 2023 at London Gatwick, after travelling back to the UK from Dubai.

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."