Kardo Muhammad Amen Jaf, a 28-year-old Kurdish Iraqi suspected of operating a large people smuggling network responsible for thousands of small boat crossings to the UK, has been arrested by officers from the Kurdistan Regional Security Council. The arrest took place on May 13 after a multi-agency international investigation targeted the human trafficking ring moving migrants from Europe to the UK for fees reportedly reaching up to £15,000 per journey.
Jaf had evaded capture for years by using the alias Kardo Ranya, concealing his true identity from law enforcement authorities. This delayed the issuance of an international arrest warrant. However, a recent BBC investigation revealed his real name and face, which helped Kurdish security forces to locate and arrest him.
While running the network, Jaf advertised a glamorous UK lifestyle on social media to attract migrants. The smuggling operation offered different routes and prices, with the more expensive options involving flights to airports outside London followed by ground transportation across the UK.
Since 2020, there has been a significant increase in small boat crossings of the English Channel, with 41,400 migrants arriving in 2025 alone. Criminal groups like the one led by Jaf have profited heavily from this surge, despite at least 24 deaths being recorded during crossings last year.
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) praised the collaboration with media outlets in this case, emphasizing the importance of exposing perpetrators operating in challenging jurisdictions. The NCA confirmed the arrest of this key suspect on May 13 and stated that investigations are ongoing, marking a major blow against organised people smuggling networks.
Originally published by UKNIP.
