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
Online business Stages for Little Retailers - 2Find Serenity: 10 Stunning Setting up camp Areas
- 3Global measles cases drop 71% in 24 years as vaccination coverage improves, WHO says
- 4Instructions to Safeguard Your Speculations In the midst of Changing Disc Rates
- 5The Ascent of the Kona SUV: How Hyundai's Reduced Hybrid Is Vanquishing the Streets
- The Solution to Ecological Protection: Saving Nature for People in the future
- Wedding trip Objections in Europe
- Toyota Reports 2.3% Sales Drop as China Weakness Deepens
- ‘We are the alternative’: Anti-Hamas Gaza militia tells BBC group is receiving international support
- 'The Housemaid' movie with Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried premieres this month. What the stars have said about the psychological thriller.
- Fundamental Home Exercise center Hardware: Amplify Your Exercises
- Wedding Guest Outraged That Bride and Groom, Who Are in Their 60s and Have Both Been Married Before, Registered for Gifts
- The breakout star of NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission isn't an astronaut — it's the space toilet
- Hidden Island Cameras Capture Rare Tasmanian Species for the First Time Ever
