Taxi Gang Jailed for Smuggling Migrants in Dodgy Lorry Scheme
Four taxi drivers linked to a ruthless migrant-smuggling ring have been locked up after a National Crime Agency (NCA) crackdown. The gang ferried illegal migrants from London to lorries waiting in Kent, destined for France.
Smuggling Kingpin Raked in Nearly £290k
Madjid Belabes, 54, masterminded the smuggling network and pocketed almost £290,000 by organising 26 migrant runs between December 2022 and September 2023. Charging £1,200 per trip, the Algerian-born Camberwell resident moved North African migrants from the UK to mainland Europe.
Belabes targeted migrants from Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco who entered the UK on tourist visas. They used Britain as a stepping stone to illegally sneak into France. One botched attempt saw 58 migrants crammed into lorries found by French officials.
Belabes was jailed last November for 10 years and nine months for people smuggling and criminal property offences, including £11,000 in cash.
Taxi Drivers at Heart of Smuggling Operation
- Samir Zerguine, 52
- Mourad Bouchlaghem, 44
- Mohamed Mabrouk, 44
- Mohamed Issaoun, 50
- Said Bouazza, 56 (unemployed, one trip only)
All Algerian nationals and taxi drivers, these men admitted involvement in an organised crime group. They drove migrants from London to quiet lay-bys and service stations in Kent, where lorries awaited to ferry them to France.
Belabes used taxis because multiple migrants in a cab could dodge police attention more easily. The evidence? Call and text logs linking the drivers to Belabes and CCTV footage showing Mourad Bouchlaghem meeting the kingpin and loading migrants into cars.
Officials Sound Alarm on Deadly Smuggling Risks
“These criminal networks treat human beings like commodities. Tackling organised immigration crime is a key priority for the NCA,” said John Turner, senior NCA investigator.
“Smuggling people across borders in lorries is highly dangerous but thankfully this case wasn’t fatal. These five men acted out of pure greed and selfishness,” added CPS prosecutor Andrew Hudson.
The NCA vows to keep working with international partners to smash these deadly smuggling rings and protect vulnerable migrants from exploitation.
