The convicted kingpin of an organised crime group that smuggled hundreds of people both into and out of the UK has been told to hand over £290,000 within three months, or face an extra two years in prison.

Md Mokter Hossain, aged 58, of Gaynes Hill Road, Woodford Green, was jailed for 10-and-a-half years in June 2023, after a covert National Crime Agency investigation found he headed up a network of complicit lorry drivers to move people in both directions across the Channel.

These included a number of fugitives who were seeking to leave the UK as they were wanted for serious crimes such as child abuse and murder.

Hossain co-ordinated the movements of drivers and arranged for taxis to drop off migrants at their pick-up locations.

Following his arrest, a ledger was found outlining details of the hundreds of men, women and children who had used his services. It also noted the amounts he had charged them. NCA investigators assess he is likely to have made in excess of £1 million from his criminal activity.

Officers also found a document outlining terms and conditions for those who wanted to be transported, including offering refunds if they were caught.

On Wednesday 30 September, a judge at Snaresbrook Crown Court granted a confiscation order for the sum of £290,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act. This represented the maximum recoverable assets identified by NCA financial investigators.

The court had also previously imposed a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) on Hossain, active for five years following his release from prison.

This imposes restrictions upon his access to communication devices and bank accounts, and requires him to report to the NCA his finances, notification of business interests and intentions to travel outside England and Wales.

Should he breach the SCPO he faces being returned to prison.

NCA Senior Investigating Officer, Chris Hill, said:

“The orders imposed upon Hossain demonstrate that our activity does not stop once someone is convicted.

“We have continued to investigate Hossain’s finances to claw back as much criminal profit as we can under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

“He also has strict conditions imposed upon him to prevent him from offending again.

“Tackling organised immigration crime is a priority for the NCA, and we are determined to use all the tools at our disposal to take action against those involved.”

The original investigation into Hossain’s organised crime group also saw the conviction of his right-hand man plus a number of complicit lorry drivers.

2 Oct 2026