A convicted people smuggler once described by French authorities as a leading figure in migrant trafficking is living in Leicestershire and is believed to be seeking asylum in the UK while working illegally, a BBC investigation has found.

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Twana Jamal was sentenced to five years in prison by a French court in 2016 after being convicted of organising illegal Channel crossings. Prosecutors said the Iraqi Kurd, who was 36 at the time, earned up to £100,000 a week by transporting migrants from northern France to Britain.

French Conviction and Life in Britain

Following a tip-off earlier this year, BBC journalists traced Jamal to the village of Blaby, where they observed him working at a local business, driving despite apparently having no valid licence, and using what appeared to be a different name.

The findings have raised fresh questions over the UK's ability to identify asylum applicants with serious criminal convictions abroad.

Smuggling Network and Multiple Aliases

Jamal came to the BBC's attention during an investigation into cross-Channel people-smuggling networks that also led to the arrest of another alleged gang leader.

French prosecutors previously identified Jamal as a prominent member of the Kurdish criminal groups known as the Ranya Boys, which European law enforcement agencies say have played a major role in cross-Channel smuggling operations over the past 15 years.

Court evidence showed Jamal operated from the Grand-Synthe migrant camp near Dunkirk between 2012 and 2016, charging migrants between £4,500 and £5,000 for journeys to Britain, when freight lorries were the preferred method of crossing.

Known by the nickname "Pasha", Jamal denied the charges during his trial, claiming mistaken identity. However, he was convicted and was expected to be deported to Iraq's Kurdistan region after serving his sentence.

The French court also heard that he regularly used multiple aliases, with prosecutors saying he sometimes wrote his assumed identity inside his baseball cap to avoid confusion.

BBC Investigation

Using information from several sources, including a recorded telephone conversation, the BBC established that Jamal was living in Leicester. During the call, he allegedly claimed he was earning good money, spoke about work involving cigarettes and said he drove without a licence, adding that he was unconcerned about police attention.

Journalists later identified a man matching Jamal's appearance working at one of two Candy Corner convenience stores in Blaby. During an undercover visit, he introduced himself as "Sultan". Reporters also identified a hand tattoo matching photographs from social media, where he uses the name "Sultan Pasha".

Over several days, the BBC said it witnessed him working in the shop and driving a vehicle, despite asylum seekers generally being prohibited from working while their claims are being processed.

When confronted, Jamal denied any involvement in people smuggling or serving a prison sentence in France. However, after being shown a photograph taken during his 2016 court appearance, he did not dispute that it showed him. Asked about driving without a licence, he replied: "So what? Did I hit you?"

Jamal said he had applied for asylum in the UK and was still awaiting a decision.

Concerns Over Border Checks

UK law normally requires asylum claims to be refused where an applicant has received a prison sentence of at least 12 months overseas. It remains unclear whether Jamal's French conviction was identified by UK authorities or whether the use of an alternative identity affected background checks.

The BBC also reported that European law enforcement officials believe at least 15 convicted people smugglers from France, Germany and Belgium are now living in the UK under false identities while claiming asylum.

According to Lucy Morton of the Immigration Services Union, the UK's departure from the European Union has made access to criminal records held by some European countries more difficult because previous data-sharing arrangements no longer apply.

The Home Office said all asylum applicants undergo mandatory identity, security and criminality checks. It added that the UK continues to operate criminal-record information-sharing agreements with several countries and said immigration enforcement activity is currently at record levels, with arrests for illegal working having increased by 83%.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 2 July 2026

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He sounds perfect for Britain and as a cultural enricher will no doubt have the red carpet rolled out for him ASAP.

Sign him up. Diversity is our greatest strength 3 times.

23 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

He sounds perfect for Britain and as a cultural enricher will no doubt have the red carpet rolled out for him ASAP.

Sign him up. Diversity is our greatest strength 3 times.

According to Lucy Morton of the Immigration Services Union, the UK's departure from the European Union has made access to criminal records held by some European countries more difficult because previous data-sharing arrangements no longer apply.

Another benefit of the utterly stupid Brexit decision.

20 minutes ago, bannork said:

According to Lucy Morton of the Immigration Services Union, the UK's departure from the European Union has made access to criminal records held by some European countries more difficult because previous data-sharing arrangements no longer apply.

Another benefit of the utterly stupid Brexit decision.

Makes no difference what this lying liberal says. Seems they didnt have any trouble finding out about this guy.

We don't deport them anyway.