An Albanian people smuggler who played a significant role in arranging illegal boat crossings of the English Channel has been sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison, authorities reported. Eglantin Doksani, 24, was linked to significant smuggling operations that may have facilitated the transit of hundreds of individuals throughout 2022.
Doksani’s activities came to light through the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) investigation into a broader criminal network led by Hewa Rahimpur, who is implicated in smuggling approximately 10,000 people into the UK. Acting as a key agent, Doksani brokered spaces on vessels for migrants, utilizing contacts in Rahimpur’s gang among others.
Evidence of his dealings was discovered in WhatsApp messages on Rahimpur’s phone, where Doksani was stored under the contact name “Nodnol”—”London” spelt backwards. Text exchanges revealed his urgent communications with Rahimpur, pushing for the quick transport of groups of people, often mentioning “cash in hand” as ready payment.
Further incriminating discussions were found on Doksani’s own phone, including detailed arrangements for pickup locations along the coast near Gravelines, between Calais and Dunkirk.
The unravelling of Doksani’s criminal activities began with his arrest in July 2022 at his residence in the Isle of Dogs, East London, where authorities saw a bag containing cocaine being thrown from a window during their operation. A subsequent arrest occurred in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, after more evidence of his smuggling operations came to light.
The investigation revealed Doksani’s use of a fraudulent passport to open bank accounts for laundering the proceeds from his smuggling and drug trafficking operations.
After pleading guilty to charges including facilitating illegal immigration, fraud, money laundering, and drug supply, Doksani was sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison at St Albans Crown Court. He is expected to face deportation upon completion of his sentence. This case highlights ongoing efforts by UK authorities to dismantle sophisticated smuggling operations that exploit vulnerable migrants desperate to reach the UK.
