A convicted people smuggler once labelled “the godfather” of migrant camps in northern France is now living in Leicestershire and is believed to be seeking asylum while working illegally, according to a BBC investigation.
Twana Jamal, who was handed a five-year prison sentence in France in 2016, was described by authorities at the time as one of the most prolific people smugglers ever caught. Prosecutors said the Iraqi Kurd, then 36, was earning as much as £100,000 a week transporting migrants across the English Channel.
Following a tip-off this year, BBC investigators traced Jamal to the village of Blaby, where he was seen working, driving without a licence and allegedly using a false identity.
His presence in the UK has raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of border checks for asylum seekers with serious criminal records abroad. Immigration officers told the BBC that, since Brexit, verifying criminal histories from some countries has become more difficult due to reduced access to shared databases.
The investigation also identified more than 20 suspected people smugglers now living in the UK, some of whom have overseas convictions or are believed to be using false identities while claiming asylum.
Known as “Pasha”
The BBC’s exposure of Jamal formed part of a wider investigation that previously led to the arrest of another smuggling figure, Kardo Jaf, whose story is detailed in the BBC Radio 4 podcast To Catch A King.
Investigators were alerted that Jamal, described by sources as a major figure in the smuggling network and once seen driving a BMW and appearing “very, very rich”, was now based in Britain.
He was linked to the so-called “Ranya Boys”, a Kurdish group that European law enforcement agencies say has played a major role in cross-Channel smuggling over the past 15 years.
Court records from his trial in France show Jamal operated between 2012 and 2016 from the Grand-Synthe camp near Dunkirk, charging migrants between £4,500 and £5,000 for passage to the UK, primarily via freight lorries before the rise of small-boat crossings.
He was known in the camps by the nickname “Pasha”, a Turkish title denoting high status. Although he claimed mistaken identity during his trial, he was convicted and ordered for deportation to Iraqi Kurdistan after serving his sentence.
Despite this, he later entered the UK. When approached by BBC journalists, he said he had applied for asylum and was “still waiting”.
Under UK law, asylum claims can be refused if an applicant has served 12 months or more in prison abroad. However, officials say gaps in record-sharing or the use of multiple identities can complicate checks. French court proceedings noted Jamal used several aliases, at times even writing assumed names inside his hat to keep track of them.
“This city is ours”
During the investigation, sources arranged a covert call with Jamal in which he confirmed he was based in Leicester and made a series of claims about his activities.
“We know everyone in this city, this city is ours,” he said, adding that he was making “good money” and had work moving cigarettes from warehouses.
He also admitted driving without a licence but said he was unconcerned about enforcement. “No-one touches us here,” he said. “Even the police won’t stop you.”
Using this information, reporters focused on the Leicester area and identified two small convenience stores in Blaby, a village near the city, where Jamal was believed to be operating.
The shops—both named Candy Corner—sit only metres apart on opposite sides of the high street.
Over several days, BBC journalists observed activity at the stores, which sell snacks and vaping products late into the evening. Using a 2016 court photograph for comparison, they later identified a man matching Jamal’s appearance working at one of the tills, now dressed in more formal clothing.
Undercover contact
During an undercover visit to one of the shops, the man introduced himself as “Sultan”. Investigators noted a distinctive hand tattoo that matched one previously seen on Jamal in court records and on social media profiles under the name “Sultan Pasha”.
Despite claiming asylum status, he was observed working in the shop and driving during the investigation period.
When confronted by reporters outside the store, Jamal denied any involvement in people smuggling and rejected claims he had been jailed in France. He insisted he had been living in the UK since 2009.
Presented with a photograph of himself in a French courtroom, he did not dispute his identity but responded: “I don’t care.”
He also denied working at the mini-mart despite being seen serving customers and handling stock. Asked about driving without a valid licence, he replied: “So what? Did I hit you?”
Wider concerns
The BBC investigation found at least 20 other suspected smugglers now living in the UK, with European law enforcement confirming convictions in several cases across France, Germany and Belgium. One man convicted in France is reportedly living in Manchester and working in the used-car trade, while another in Blackpool is said to have claimed asylum under a false identity.
Since Brexit, UK officials no longer have full access to some EU criminal databases, a situation experts say has made background checks more difficult.
Lucy Moreton of the Immigration Services Union said improved data sharing with European neighbours would help identify individuals with serious convictions.
“If we were able to share databases… then yes, we’d know that they had a conviction for people smuggling,” she said.
The Home Office said all asylum applicants undergo mandatory identity, security and criminality checks. It added that enforcement action against illegal working is currently at record levels, with arrests up 83%.
Border Security Minister Alex Norris has previously said that details of the checks are not made public to protect their integrity, while the Home Office maintains it has multiple agreements in place for sharing criminal records with partner countries.