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
Toilet rats? Washington health officials warn of possible rodents in sewer systems after floods - 2We may have one thing in common with jellyfish, new research finds
- 3Surging measles cases are 'fire alarm' warning that other diseases could be next
- 4Nodding off is dangerous. Some animals have evolved extreme ways to sleep in precarious environments
- 5This Flashy Old-School Design Trend From Italy Still Has A Place In Modern Kitchens
- Picking the Right Doctor prescribed Medication Inclusion in Senior Protection.
- Elanco's drug gets emergency nod to treat deadly flesh-eating parasite in cats
- 4 Excellent Remote Headphones of 2024
- Vote in favor of your #1 Sort of Convenience for a Family
- Careful Nurturing: Techniques for Bringing up Tough Children
- Why the chemtrail conspiracy theory lingers and grows – and why Tucker Carlson is talking about it
- People can't get enough of this couple's Hallmark movie reviews. They don't know the painful backstory.
- Orbán orders stop to gas deliveries to Ukraine via Hungary from July
- Fireballs and a full moon. Here’s how to see two celestial events this week
