A people smuggling gang operating in Swansea has been brought down thanks to the power of ‘selfies’. Four men have been sentenced for their involvement in a sophisticated scheme to smuggle Iranian asylum seekers into the UK. The illegal operation involved creating fake identities and travel documents, along with booking flights on popular carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet.
The elaborate scam was uncovered after selfies taken on board aircraft in 2019 sparked a four-year-long investigation. The conspirators were found to have set up a network stretching from Iran to South Wales. While four men were arrested and charged, other accomplices within the UK and across Europe, including key figures in the gang, remain at large.
The gang facilitated the entry of individuals into the UK by providing false travel documents to Iranians seeking asylum. Flights were typically booked in Swansea, and the conspiracy utilised a route through Europe before making the final leg of the journey to the UK from Spanish airports. Once in the UK, the asylum seekers would present themselves to immigration officials and claim asylum.
Kaveh Nazari, Seyed Hangeroudi, Smerdi Hakhamensh, and Mohammad Khatir were identified as key players in the operation. They orchestrated the creation of false identities and travel documents, using bank accounts to funnel tens of thousands of pounds to support their criminal activities. Photos of boarding cards, passports, and signatures were found on seized phones, linking the gang to the production of fake documents.
At the core of the Swansea operation was Kaveh Nazari, aided by Seyed Hangeroudi, while Smerdi Hakhamensh and Mohammad Khatir played lower-ranking roles. The court learned of Nazari’s troubled past in Iran, including detention, imprisonment, and torture, which left physical evidence on his body. Hangeroudi was described as a “gentle soul” who had moved to London for a fresh start, while Khatir and Hakhamensh were motivated by familial ties and humanitarian concerns.
In sentencing, Judge Huw Rees differentiated between the defendants based on their level of involvement and motivation. Nazari and Hangeroudi, who acted for financial gain, received prison sentences, while Khatir and Hakamenesh, driven by familial loyalty, received suspended sentences and community service. The defendants were labelled “persons of interest” to the Home Office, highlighting the seriousness of their offences.
Commenting on the case, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, emphasised the government’s commitment to cracking down on individuals who exploit border controls for profit. The sentencing sends a clear message that those involved in people smuggling will face consequences. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies are crucial in combating organised crime and securing the UK’s borders.
The downfall of the people smuggling gang in Swansea serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by criminal networks seeking to profit from human suffering. By dismantling such operations, authorities work to safeguard national security and uphold the integrity of immigration systems. The sentencing of the conspirators marks a significant milestone in the fight against illegal immigration and underscores the importance of continued vigilance in protecting borders.