A people smuggler named Amanj Hasan Zada, who assisted migrants in crossing the Channel on small boats, has been found guilty of immigration offenses. The National Crime Agency (NCA) connected him to three separate crossings from France to the UK involving Kurdish migrants. These groups had traveled through Eastern Europe into Germany, Belgium, and France before reaching Britain. Zada, an Iranian national, was found guilty of three counts of facilitating illegal immigration after a trial at Preston Crown Court. He is set to be sentenced this afternoon.
Zada advertised his services on social media and even shared videos of satisfied customers thanking him for his assistance. The NCA believes he was involved in numerous similar operations beyond the ones they were able to link him to. One video showed migrants on a boat expressing gratitude and applauding Zada, while another depicted men who had crossed into Macedonia thanking him. In a third clip found on YouTube, Zada was seen enjoying praise from musicians at a party, who referred to him as “the best smuggler.”
The NCA arrested Zada in May after recording conversations with other smugglers discussing the movements of migrants, locations, and successful crossings. Officers stormed a terrace house in Preston, where Zada was apprehended. Analysis of his phone revealed connections to several social media accounts used to promote his services. Additionally, Zada had direct contact with migrants who had crossed illegally on boats in 2023, as evidenced by travel tickets found on his phone.
According to NCA branch commander Martin Clarke, Zada operated a sophisticated people smuggling enterprise utilizing social media to advertise. While Zada was directly linked to three specific crossings, it is suspected that he was involved in many more operations. Clarke emphasized that Zada prioritized profit over the safety of individuals, as he had no qualms about endangering lives as long as he received payment. The NCA is committed to halting the activities of people smugglers like Zada to prevent further loss of life.
The case of Amanj Hasan Zada sheds light on the dangerous and exploitative nature of human smuggling operations. It underscores the importance of law enforcement agencies’ efforts to combat such criminal activities to ensure the safety and security of migrants seeking better opportunities. The NCA’s successful prosecution of Zada should serve as a warning to others engaged in similar unlawful practices that they will be held accountable for their actions.
