North West London Barber Jailed for People Smuggling Scheme
A Cricklewood barber offered lorry drivers thousands of pounds to smuggle migrants into the UK. Gul Wali Jabarkhel, 33, used his Colindale barbershop as a cover for his illegal immigration racket.
£2,500 Per Person: The Illegal Deal
In September 2020, Jabarkhel dangled £2,500 to drivers for each migrant brought in from France or Belgium. He preferred smuggling groups of no more than five to avoid detection, aiming for drivers to run up to three smuggling trips a month.
The first planned run was set for 9 November 2020 from Belgium, but Jabarkhel pulled out. Instead, he and co-conspirator Baz Mohammed Jabarkhil, 47, fled to Kabul, Afghanistan.
Plans Foiled by NCA Surveillance
While they were abroad, the National Crime Agency (NCA) moved to stop their return. The pair tried re-entry via lorry drivers they’d recruited, offering £7,500 each in April 2021 to smuggle them back in.
They enlisted two more gang members, Rehan Murudkar, 19, and Mohammad Rafique, 28, to handle a cash handover at M1 London Gateway Services. Unbeknownst to them, NCA officers were watching. Murudkar and Rafique were arrested for money laundering shortly after the payment.
Despite their denials, phone records revealed heavy communication with Jabarkhel and Jabarkhil, including a Google Maps link directing them to the handover spot and chats about £10,000 cash drops.
Arrests and Convictions
Jabarkhel was arrested at his barbershop on 8 July 2021 after he thought he had sneaked back into the UK. Baz Jabarkhil was caught arriving by small boat in Dover two months later.
All four men were convicted following a six-week trial at Kingston Crown Court on 25 April. Baz Jabarkhil pleaded guilty to illegal entry in September 2021. Gul Wali Jabarkhel had already admitted conspiracy to smuggle Jabarkhil into the UK. Sentencing is set for 1 June.
NCA Senior Investigating Officer Chris Hill said: “This gang were ruthless operators who regarded human beings as little more than goods to profit from. They attempted to orchestrate dangerous journeys across the Channel in the backs of lorries where the risk of injury, or worse, were extremely high.
These convictions have smashed a hole through their criminal enterprise and are a strong reminder that tackling organised immigration crime is a priority for the NCA. Anyone else embroiled in this type of activity should stand up and take note. We will catch you and bring you before the courts.”
Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Kate Anderson said: “Gul Wali Jabarkhel wanted to exploit others’ desire to enter the UK unlawfully, focusing on profit and showing no regard for potential risks to the migrants’ safety.
He and a co-defendant then attempted to re-enter the UK in a lorry to avoid border detection. They conspired with two other defendants who handed over a significant sum of money as payment to the lorry drivers.
The case presented to the court highlighted the defendants’ focus on transport, logistics, and fee negotiations with the lorry drivers. These crimes are extremely serious and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure those responsible face justice.”
