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
Bismuth’s haredi draft bill won’t change enlistment, IDI expert tells 'Post' - 2These HGTV stars made a pledge to keep their kids off smartphones. Here's how it's going.
- 3What's going on with Katseye? The Manon Bannerman hiatus drama, explained.
- 4Uzbekistan launches €9.46 billion green energy push, covering nation’s power needs
- 5The 10 Most Famous Works of art Ever
- McDonald's is bringing two 'KPop Demon Hunters' meals to McDonald's. Here's what they include and when they launch.
- Why are NASA's Artemis astronauts wearing orange? What are they bringing to space? What to know about the preparation for their moon mission.
- Melodic Combination d: A Survey of \Unrecorded Music Energy\ Show
- Israeli girl suffers cardiac arrest during sirens in Safed, hospitalized in serious condition
- West Bank man indicted for extortion, impersonation of IAF pilot, Mossad agent, illegal entry
- Two Indonesian UN peacekeepers killed in explosion in Lebanon
- Artemis 2 astronauts — now halfway to the moon — report 'burning smell' from toilet, but everything's fine
- US EPA will reassess safety of herbicide paraquat, says its chief
- Remarkable Spots for Hot Air Swelling All over The Planet
