A smuggling network known as “Kings of the Jungle” was exposed for advertising regular Channel crossings and recruiting migrants through social media. An alleged ringleader, Abu Hussein al-Iraqi, operated across Iraq, France, and the UK and presented himself as based near Dunkirk. Messages and videos reassured prospective migrants that they would not face deportation after reaching Britain, including claims that coastguards would protect them until arrival. The network allegedly arranged weekly departures with boats carrying up to 75 people paying about £900 per crossing. It also encouraged exploiting asylum loopholes, including advising some to claim Bidoon status, a stateless group from Kuwait, amid rising statelessness claims and concerns about verification.
"“There is no deportation,” adding in one exchange: “Just come to me and consider yourself already in Britain.”"
"“The coastguards' job is to protect you. They'll go out with you to protect you until you reach the UK,” in a statement that appears designed to reassure migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings."
"He also boasted of successful arrivals, claiming some migrants were already in UK hotels awaiting asylum decisions after being transported across the Channel."
"He is also accused of encouraging migrants to exploit what he describes as loopholes in the UK asylum system, including advising some to claim to be members of the Bidoon community - a stateless group from Kuwait - amid a reported rise in such claims in recent years."
#human-smuggling #channel-crossings #uk-asylum-system #social-media-recruitment #bidoon-statelessness
Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
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