Ahmed Ebid, a 42-year-old Egyptian, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for orchestrating a £12 million (â¬14 million) migrant smuggling operation from North Africa to Italy. Believed to be the first UK convict for organizing illegal Mediterranean crossings, he charged migrants an average fee of £3,200 for the perilous journey. Ebid was described as ruthlessly exploiting desperate migrants, with Judge Adam Hiddleston emphasizing their horrifying treatment as mere commodities. His operations included direct communication with criminal associates and threats to migrants about carrying phones on board.
"The treatment of the migrants on your orders and in your name was horrifying. They were, simply a commodity to you," Judge Hiddleston said.
"Tell them guys anyone caught with a phone will be killed, thrown in the sea," Ebid said.
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