Gang Boss and Crew Jailed for Ruthless Migrant Smuggling Operation
Head of Crime Gang Busted in Major NCA Sting
Tarik Namik, 45, from Oldham, led a slick organised crime gang smuggling migrants from Iraq and Iran into the UK. Manchester Crown Court heard how the gang sparked a National Crime Agency (NCA) probe back in 2017 that finally brought their lucrative operation crashing down.
The Ruthless Crew Behind the Smuggling Network
- Hajar Ahmed, 39, from Manchester, and Soran Saliy, 32, from Stoke, handled the UK coordination.
- Habil Gider, 54, based in Stoke, escorted migrants once on British soil.
- Hardi Alizada, 32, from Nottingham, managed operations in Europe.
The gang offered migrants two different routes to the UK. Upon arrival, migrants would claim asylum to stay under the radar. But their cruel tactics were exposed in September 2017 when nine migrants, including five children, were dumped from a Polish lorry in a Lancashire layby. One desperate migrant had even dialled 999 begging for help. Starving and dehydrated, they were rushed to hospital.
Crackdown and Long Sentences
After a relentless investigation, Namik, Ahmed and Saliy were arrested by NCA officers in April 2018. Alizada was picked up later in February 2019. All five gang members pleaded guilty during earlier hearings.
Today, they were collectively handed 23 years and 11 months behind bars at Manchester Crown Court.
NCA’s Steely Resolve Against Migrant Crime
“This investigation highlights the NCA’s commitment to dismantling organised immigration crime and protecting vulnerable migrants from exploitation,” an NCA spokesperson said.
