Mustaf Cunaj, a 41-year-old Albanian man residing in Tolworth, southwest London, has been sentenced to prison following a thorough investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA). Cunaj orchestrated small boat crossings for migrants, including children as young as five, from northern France to the United Kingdom.
The Operation
Operating under the alias “John Brown,” Cunaj maintained constant communication with people smugglers based in northern France during the summer and autumn of 2022. His preferred platform for coordinating these dangerous journeys was WhatsApp.
The Evidence
NCA investigators meticulously traced Cunaj’s activities, linking him to at least 31 illegal crossings within a span of five weeks. In one particularly disturbing conversation with another smuggler, he negotiated the passage of a woman and her two young children (aged five and nine) across the treacherous waters of the English Channel. The price for their perilous journey was haggled down from £8,000 to £7,500.
The Smuggling Network
Cunaj’s extensive communication history revealed over 800 messages exchanged with his contact—a key player in a larger people smuggling network operating in northern France. These messages spanned from August to September 2022, providing damning evidence of his involvement.
The Logistics
In addition to arranging crossings, Cunaj discussed the procurement of inflatable boats. Prices for these vessels ranged from £4,000 to £4,500 per boat. His concern for the safety of passengers was questionable, as he inquired about lifejackets, stating, “I have five people; they don’t know how [to wear a lifejacket] as they are small children.”
Geographical Clues
Cunaj’s phone contained images pinpointing map locations in Calais and Dunkirk—hotspots for migrant crossings. Another image revealed two users’ locations in the English Channel and the North Sea, further implicating his role in the illicit operations.
Legal Proceedings
Initially arrested in October 2022, Cunaj was released under investigation. However, he was rearrested in September 2023 and formally charged with people smuggling offences. Despite initially denying any wrongdoing, he eventually confessed to conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration.
