Major Albanian Migrant Smuggling Ring Busted After Eight-Year NCA Hunt
Albanian nationals Myrteza Hilaj, 50, and Kreshnik Kadena, 37, both from Leyton, have been jailed for their roles in a high-profile migrant smuggling racket. The pair were convicted in March following an eight-year investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) targeting a notorious Albanian organised crime syndicate.
Flying Migrants into Essex: A High-Stakes Human Trafficking Operation
Hilaj and Kadena orchestrated at least nine migrant journeys across 2016 and 2017. Three involved smuggling migrants by light aircraft into a secret Essex aerodrome. Hilaj acted as the UK co-ordinator for this multi-national criminal group.
In 2017, the NCA worked closely with French and Belgian authorities to intercept several attempted crossings. Many migrants caught had Hilaj’s contact saved in their phones, exposing direct communication with him or their mutual networks.
£10,000 a Head: Fixing Fake IDs and Safe Routes for Migrants
Phone records showed the duo charged around £10,000 per migrant, helping them enter and settle in the UK using counterfeit passports, ID cards, and fake utility bills. Hilaj ensured vehicles transporting migrants dropped them off discreetly and returned to normal routes to avoid police suspicion.
Kadena mainly handled smuggling via light aircraft, personally overseeing arrivals and ferrying migrants from Stapleford airfield after flights from Calais.
Under Surveillance, Arrested and Sentenced
On 17 July 2017, a smuggling flight was foiled by French police. The same day, the NCA caught Hilaj and Kadena at a “fallout” meeting in a pub. Both men were arrested on 26 July 2017 at home. Authorities discovered false IDs, incriminating phone messages, and even a security fob for Stapleford airfield in their possession.
Hilaj and Kadena were sentenced today at Southwark Crown Court to three years and six months, and one year and eight months, respectively.
