Albanian People Trafficker Jailed for Ferrying Migrant Kids Across the Channel
Smuggler’s Secret Alias Exposed
Mustaf Cunaj, 41, from Tolworth in southwest London, has been locked up after a National Crime Agency (NCA) probe uncovered his role in organising illegal migrant boat trips. Using the fake name “John Brown,” Cunaj helped smuggle migrants, including children as young as five, from northern France to the UK.
31 Crossings, Children and Cash
The NCA linked Cunaj to at least 31 dangerous Channel crossings packed into just five weeks during summer and autumn 2022. In chilling intercepted talks, he negotiated sending a woman and her two young kids (aged five and nine) across freezing waters. The price dropped from £8,000 to £7,500 for the perilous trip.
Massive Smuggling Network Uncovered
- Cunaj exchanged over 800 messages with a key French smuggler, part of a wider ring ferrying migrants into Britain.
- He organised inflatable boats costing £4,000 to £4,500 each but showed little concern for passenger safety, worrying mainly about children who “don’t know” how to survive on water without lifejackets.
- Phone evidence revealed location images pinpointing hotspots like Calais and Dunkirk, confirming his deep involvement in the illicit trade.
From Denial to Guilty Plea
Arrested in October 2022, Cunaj was initially freed but rearrested in September 2023. After denying charges at first, he eventually admitted conspiring to aid illegal immigration. The sentencing aims to send a clear message to ruthless traffickers exploiting vulnerable migrants and children.
