Pistiwan Jameel, 55, is jailed for arranging illegal UK crossings, bragging about profits from smuggling operations.
Jameel bragged about earning $2 million for criminal networks. Covert recordings captured his claims about his contacts, and he complained about competition lowering prices.
Police found messages on Jameel’s phone relating to 50 people who entered the UK illegally in 2022 and 2023. The phone also contained boat photos from the Channel.
Jameel pleaded guilty to facilitating illegal immigration and, as a resident of Birmingham, was sentenced to four years and ten months in court. Judge Kubic called Jameel a facilitator and broker, emphasizing that he was the UK contact in a commercial operation where small boats risked serious injury and life.
Artan Halilaj was found guilty of helping illegal immigration and was sentenced to three and a half years. He resided in London. Fiorentino Halilaj admitted the same crime and received a sentence of two and a half years; he had no fixed address.
The NCA watched Jameel meet with Artan in Birmingham on September 1, 2023, during which Artan handed over cash. Jameel then made a phone call, stating that his “three passengers” were “all good to go,” which preceded Fiorentino’s Channel crossing the next day.
Immigration authorities seized Fiorentino’s phone and discovered Jameel’s number listed in his contacts. Police also listened to Jameel’s phone conversations.
Prosecutors stated that Jameel sold seats on small boats transporting illegal immigrants. It was revealed that Artan had previously arrived in the UK and absconded from provided housing. Artan helped his brother-in-law travel to France and paid Jameel for Fiorentino’s passage to the UK; Jameel, originally from Iraq, gained citizenship in 2019.
Police found images of passports on Jameel’s phone, linking 30 passports to small boat travelers. This suggested Jameel had people readily available to cross the channel.
His lawyer argued that Jameel was only a middle manager who had worked as a cleaner for 20 years. He claimed there was no proof of major profits. Artan Halilaj’s lawyer said his client only made payments, contacted his cousin in France, and was pressured by his family. Fiorentino Halilaj’s lawyer stated his client wanted to send money home to support his elderly parents who needed financial support.