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
‘Aid for Ukraine’ pierogi fundraiser event - 2The Longest Underwater Tunnel Connecting Germany and Denmark
- 3Must-Have Cooking Machine in Your Kitchen
- 4How much should a kid's birthday party cost? One mom spent $190 for pizza and ice cream at a park. Another paid $2K for a playspace and goodie bags.
- 5Misremembering might actually be a sign your memory is working optimally
- Eleven arrested over mass shooting in South Africa tavern
- I binged all 24 Hallmark Christmas movies in less than 30 days. I emerged a changed man.
- Kidneys from Black donors are more likely to be thrown away − a bioethicist explains why
- Artemis II astronauts arrive in Florida to prepare for launch to the moon
- Current Chateaus: Advancement and Style
- South African radio presenter among five charged over Russia recruitment plot
- The 10 Most Significant Games in History
- Figure out How to Clean and Really focus on Your Lab Jewel
- Chinese mega embassy could bring security advantages, says No 10
