UK-linked smuggling network arrested in joint NCA and Kurdistan SF operation in Iraq

“The suspects include a 38-year-old man from Sulaymani, accused of coordinating over a dozen yacht trips carrying migrants to Greece or Italy,” NCA

The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) along with Kurdistan Region SF (Assayish), Jan 15, 2025. (Photo: NCA)
The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) along with Kurdistan Region SF (Assayish), Jan 15, 2025. (Photo: NCA)

Jan 15, 2025

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - In a landmark operation, three men have been arrested for their involvement in a notorious people smuggling network that facilitated illegal migrations from the Kurdistan Region to the UK and Europe, said a statement by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA). 

“The arrests were the result of a collaborative effort between the NCA and the security forces of the Kurdistan Region, including the Kurdistan Region Security Council and the Kurdistan Region Security Agency,” NCA revealed. 

According to the NCA, the detained individuals are believed to be connected to the network operated by Amanj Hassan Zada, a UK-based smuggler who was convicted in November 2024 and sentenced to 17 years in prison. 

Zada, known as Amanj Zaman to his clients, had gained infamy through social media where he showcased his smuggling successes. One video showed grateful migrants he had transported on a boat to Italy, while another, filmed in Iraq, depicted Zada celebrating his notoriety among peers.

“The suspects include a 38-year-old man from Sulaymani, accused of coordinating over a dozen yacht trips carrying migrants to Greece or Italy, and two others from the same city—a middleman in his 30s and a Hawala banker in his 40s, both implicated in organizing and financing the smuggling operations,” NCA stated.

These arrests, which occurred between January 8th and 12th, mark the first instance of the NCA working directly with Erbil and Sulaymani’s Asayish agencies to combat high-level smuggling activities threatening lives across European borders.

NCA's Director General of Operations, Rob Jones, emphasized the operation's significance in combating the perilous cross-Channel boat trade, notorious for its fatalities. He lauded the unprecedented cooperation with KRI authorities, underscoring the global reach and determination of the NCA to dismantle these criminal networks.

“Home Secretary Yvette Cooper praised the collaborative efforts, noting the operation's alignment with the UK’s recent security agreements with Iraq aimed at disrupting the criminal infrastructure enabling such human trafficking,” NCA statement said.  

This operation not only signifies a significant blow to the smuggling networks but also reinforces the ongoing commitment of international law enforcement agencies to uphold safety and law across borders.

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has increasingly become a focal point in the fight against global human trafficking, particularly concerning the dangerous and illegal smuggling of migrants to the UK and Europe. This region, known for its strategic geographical positioning and complex socio-political landscape, serves as both a transit and origin point for numerous smuggling operations.

The collaboration between the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and Kurdish security forces reflects a significant intensification in international efforts to dismantle networks that exploit vulnerable populations seeking better lives abroad. This partnership highlights the growing global consensus and cooperation required to tackle these sophisticated criminal networks, which not only violate national borders but also endanger countless lives through perilous journeys.