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
Tatiana Schlossberg's diagnosis puts spotlight on leukemia: What to know - 2Vaccine makers raise concerns over US panel's shift away from hepatitis B shots for newborns
- 3One spent $20 on candy. Another paid $700 for a custom costume. Here's how Halloween costs stacked up this year.
- 4Blue Origin launches huge rocket carrying twin NASA spacecraft to Mars
- 5Surge of off‑lease electric vehicles expected to drive down used EV prices
- Allow Innovative Progressions To have a Tremendous Effect
- The 15 Best Business visionaries Under 40
- 6 Famous Cell phone Brands All over The Planet
- Denny's is shutting down restaurants around the country. What's behind the closures?
- The Force of Systems administration: Individual Examples of overcoming adversity
- Consume Fat Quick: 10 Demonstrated Activities for Ideal Outcomes
- Defense Minister Katz moves to extend IDF service to 36 months
- What you need to know about flu treatments as cases spike across the US
- Find the Specialty of Calligraphy: Dominating the Exquisite Art of Penmanship
