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
Farmers call for French blockades over cow disease cull - 2Health Rounds: Regeneron drug wipes out residual multiple myeloma cells in small trial
- 3The Excursion to Monetary Proficiency: Individual budget Triumphs
- 4Exploring School Life: Self-awareness and Illustrations
- 5Native artists in Texas and Mexico shared their vision of the universe for 4,000 years, ancient murals suggest
- It Looks Like a Tiny, Fluffy Dragon, But It's Really a Bird. Meet the Great Eared Nightjar
- Dramatic Dominance d: A Survey of \Feelings in front of an audience\ Theater Play
- IndiGo lands IATA chief Willie Walsh as new CEO
- Qatar LNG Ships U-Turn After Attempt to Pass Through Hormuz
- Building an Individual Brand: Illustrations from Powerhouses
- These men carry towers of birds through Mexico's streets. They say their tradition is dying out.
- PFAS in pregnant women’s drinking water puts their babies at higher risk, study finds
- December's overlooked meteor shower peaks next week — will the Ursids surprise us?
- Iran war pushes Germany's deficit to 4.2% as growth outlook is cut by 50%
