A people smuggler who referred to migrants as "chickens" has been jailed for just over 10 years for his role in arranging illegal crossings to the UK.
Ramal Briem worked with other gang members to transport people, including six who were brought to Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire in the back of a lorry in March 2024.
The 33-year-old Iraqi national came to the UK illegally by small boat in 2020, after which he claimed asylum. He got involved in the people smuggling network following financial struggles, the National Crime Agency said.
Briem pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration at Wolverhampton Crown Court in October 2024.
Sentencing him earlier at Worcester Crown Court, Judge Andrew Lockhart KC suggested that Briem, who had been living in Wolverhampton, was also deported after his sentencing was complete.
The judge said it was hard to imagine "a more serious example of a people trafficker".
"You were part of an organised crime group (OCG) bringing significant numbers of immigrants from across the globe," he said.
"Victims found themselves threatened, abused and placed at huge risk…you and the people you work with would prey on them."
The main evidence for the case came from seized mobile phones, with messages between Briem and another gang member known as "Kevin".
They discussed the movement of people they referred to as "chickens" waiting for illegal crossings in northern France.
Briem said in one exchange that if he received "20 chickens, two of them were free".
Prosecutor Cathlyn Orchard told the court that Briem also used a boat emoji in the messages.
This breaking news story is being updated.
Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Related internet links
latest_posts
- 1
Mysterious bright blue cosmic blasts triggered by black holes shredding stars, scientists say. 'It's definitely not just an exploding star.' - 2Parents search for children missing since a volcanic eruption in Colombia 40 years ago
- 3Iran, Hezbollah fire rockets at Israel during Passover celebrations
- 4Toddler given just 3 years to live after strange symptoms makes full recovery
- 5Spanish bishops and government sign deal for compensation of church sexual abuse victims
- ‘It’s Israeli policy’: Report reveals abuse of Palestinians in prisons
- Kuwait is softening stance on Israel, dissident tells ‘Post’ after viral UN speech
- Figure out How to Pick a Crematorium: Key Contemplations.
- Brexit's Effect on New York's Ascent as a Main Monetary Center
- My Pioneering Excursion: Building a Startup
- The most effective method to Perceive the Early Side effects of Cellular breakdown in the lungs
- Fetterman says he's back home after a fall put the Pennsylvania senator in the hospital
- A new mom skipped a routine appointment. An infected cut led to a devastating diagnosis
- First Alert: Light snow through this evening
