A “prolific” people smuggler named Pistiwan Jameel has been convicted for coordinating a £1.5 million operation to transport migrants across the English Channel in small boats. The 54-year-old from Birmingham was arrested after helping smuggle a migrant into the country and was found to have been deeply involved in illegal immigration networks.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation revealed Jameel’s extensive involvement in people smuggling. Surveillance officers observed him meeting with Artan Halilaj in Birmingham on September 1, 2023, during which cash was exchanged. After the meeting, Jameel was overheard making a phone call, stating, “My three passengers, all good to go, all okay.”
Jameel’s operation involved multiple individuals, including Albanian nationals Artan Halilaj, 39, and Fiorentino Halilaj, 25. Fiorentino Halilaj crossed the English Channel in a small boat the day after the meeting. When immigration authorities seized his phone, they found Jameel’s contact information, providing crucial evidence of his involvement.
The NCA was able to intercept and analyze Jameel’s conversations with associates, which exposed the inner workings of his smuggling network. During these conversations, he would arrange crossings for clients and even complained about market competition driving down prices. Jameel claimed to have generated at least $2 million (£1.5 million) for criminal networks through his contacts.
Notably, Jameel referred to migrants in dehumanizing terms, calling them “pigeons” and “sticks,” and used his extensive connections with gangs in France to arrange illegal journeys while collecting payments in the UK.
Paul Jones, the NCA branch operations manager, emphasized the significance of the investigation, stating that Jameel was a “prolific UK-based broker for people smuggling gangs in France.” Jones also noted that the true number of crossings Jameel facilitated might never be known, suggesting his involvement had been ongoing for a considerable time.
Legal proceedings have already commenced. Pistiwan Jameel pleaded guilty to two counts of facilitating illegal immigration at Birmingham Crown Court on December 20, 2023. Fiorentino Halilaj admitted to one count of the same offense. Artan Halilaj, who initially denied the charge, was found guilty after a trial.
The three men are scheduled to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court, highlighting the serious legal consequences of their involvement in human smuggling operations. This case underscores the ongoing challenges authorities face in combating illegal immigration and the sophisticated networks that facilitate these dangerous crossings.
