A man who produced false identity documents for organized crime groups involved in people smuggling has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison, following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Radouane Bouhafs, a 43-year-old Algerian national, was arrested by NCA officers in June 2024 outside his home in Edmonton, North London. An outbuilding at the rear of his property contained a forgery factory, equipped with printers, computers, blank cards, and other tools used to produce fake identity documents. Investigators also recovered completed counterfeit documents, including Irish and French EU passports, identity cards from Ireland and Italy, a UK Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence, and driving licences from the UK, Italy, and Belgium.
Bouhafs was initially identified as part of a separate NCA investigation into a criminal network suspected of people smuggling. Investigators discovered that he had been manufacturing false documents for the network, enabling people living in the UK illegally to access work, benefits, and other services. Financial inquiries revealed that Bouhafs had received tens of thousands of pounds into his bank accounts in the previous year, with no legitimate source of income declared.
Following his arrest, Bouhafs was charged with seven counts of possessing false identity documents with intent and one count of possessing items used to make false ID cards. He pleaded guilty to all charges during a hearing at Wood Green Crown Court on July 25, and was sentenced on August 15.
NCA Senior Investigating Officer John Turner commented on the significance of Bouhafs’ role: “Radouane Bouhafs worked on behalf of organized crime groups, providing them with false documents that would be used to make it appear like the holder was in the UK legitimately, allowing them to rent property, open bank accounts, register to claim benefits, or get work.
Turner emphasized that Bouhafs’ services were a key part of the criminal operations and were integral to the price charged by smugglers. Tackling organized immigration crime is a priority for the NCA, including those like Bouhafs who assist or enable the gangs involved.”
The investigation highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to disrupt the networks supporting illegal immigration and the production of fraudulent documents that enable wider criminal activities.
