Two suspected people smugglers accused of orchestrating illegal small boat crossings across the English Channel have been arrested following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Arrests in Erith and Paddington
Rebin Sharif, 26, was tracked down and arrested in Erith, while Lulzim Brahaj, 47, was detained in Paddington on February 5.
The men are wanted by French authorities on allegations of their involvement in illegal migrant crossings in 2022, money laundering, and organised crime.
Recruiting Migrants and Laundering Proceeds
According to investigators, Brahaj and Sharif are suspected of recruiting illegal migrants seeking to cross the Channel, before laundering the proceeds between January 2021 and June 2023.
The arrests were carried out by specialist officers from the National Extradition Unit, part of the NCA’s Joint International Crime Centre, acting on behalf of French authorities.
Extradition Proceedings Underway
Both suspects were taken to Westminster Magistrates’ Court on the day of their arrest, where extradition proceedings to France have begun.
NCA Statement on People Smuggling Crackdown
NCA Regional Head of Investigations Jacque Beer said:
“Thanks to the work of the NCA’s extradition unit, two suspected people smugglers have been traced and arrested.”
“Smuggling gangs risk the lives of the people they transport purely for profit and greed. They do not care about the risks or their safety.”
“Tackling people smuggling is a priority for the NCA, and we will continue our close working with our partners in France and across Europe to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle the groups behind these crossings.”
Ongoing Efforts to Combat People Smuggling
The NCA, in partnership with UK and European law enforcement agencies, has been actively targeting criminal networks facilitating illegal migration. The UK government has also pledged to crack down on human trafficking as part of its broader immigration enforcement strategy.
Further legal proceedings and potential extradition dates for Sharif and Brahaj are expected to be determined in the coming weeks.
