Myrteza Hilaj and Kreshnik Kadena, both Albanian nationals from Leyton in East London, have been jailed for their involvement in an illegal migration smuggling operation. The pair used a plane to transport people from northern France to an aerodrome in Essex, facilitating breaches of UK immigration law.
Following an investigation led by the National Crime Agency (NCA), Hilaj and Kadena were convicted at Southwark Crown Court in March for their role in the crime. They were sentenced to a combined total of five years and two months in prison.
The NCA’s operation uncovered the pair’s involvement in an Albanian crime group known for orchestrating illegal migration activities. Hilaj and Kadena’s actions were part of a broader effort to smuggle people into the UK, taking advantage of aviation resources to bypass standard border controls. Their convictions highlight the ongoing efforts by authorities to tackle human smuggling networks operating internationally.