Three men suspected of involvement in a global people smuggling network have been arrested following a major operation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in cooperation with the Kurdistan Region Security Council and the Kurdistan Region Security Agency. The network is accused of transporting migrants from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) to the UK and Europe.
The detained individuals are connected to Amanj Hassan Zada, a UK-based smuggler who was convicted and sentenced to 17 years in prison in November 2024. Zada, known as Amanj Zaman, had promoted his smuggling services on social media, often using videos of migrants thanking him for his help. One such video showed a group of men on a boat heading to Italy, praising him for his assistance.
Zada’s smuggling network allegedly transported migrants across Europe, with some victims being moved to northern Europe or the UK. A 38-year-old man from Sulaymaniyah is accused of coordinating the transport of migrants via yachts to Greece and Italy, with each boat carrying 60 to 70 people. A hawala banker in his 40s from the same city is also among those arrested, accused of processing financial transactions for the network. Another man in his 30s is alleged to have gathered migrants for the smuggling operations.
The arrests occurred between January 8 and January 12 in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil, with NCA officers deployed to assist in the operation. All three men remain in custody and are facing prosecution for human trafficking offenses by KRI authorities.
This operation marks the first time the NCA has worked with the KRI’s Asayish security agencies to target high-ranking members of people smuggling networks operating in the region. Zada, who was involved in at least three UK Channel crossings, has been linked to many more smuggling operations. Police believe he used social media to promote his services and document his successes.
NCA Director General of Operations Rob Jones stated, “This operation is a significant step in disrupting the people smuggling gangs operating from the KRI. Thanks to our cooperation with KRI authorities, we’ve shown that these networks are not beyond reach, and those involved will be held accountable.”
Branch Commander Martin Clarke added, “These gangs put lives at risk, and we are working to dismantle their operations. More than 70 people lost their lives trying to cross the Channel in small boats in 2024, so disrupting this trade is crucial.”
The UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, praised the NCA’s efforts, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in tackling organized immigration crime. She also noted the impact of the UK’s recent security agreements with Iraq and the KRI, which have enhanced intelligence-sharing and law enforcement cooperation.
The NCA continues to prioritize the disruption of organized immigration crime, with around 70 ongoing investigations targeting high-harm networks involved in human trafficking and illegal immigration.
