A prolific people smuggler who transported hundreds of illegal migrants to the UK in small boats and HGVs has been handed a prison sentence.
Ali Omar Karim, 47, from Portsmouth, pleaded guilty to facilitating illegal immigration in July 2024 following a National Crime Agency investigation, which identified he was controlling a network of people smugglers throughout northern Europe and the Middle East.
Examination of his phone showed he had been involved in the movement of people from Serbia, Turkey, Kosovo, Bosnia and other countries through border crossings in Romania and Hungary via HGV.
Evidence on Karim's phone suggested those trafficked paid £800 to £1,000 to get into the EU, and then charged a further, larger amount to get from France to the UK.
Messages showed Karim discussing another people smuggling attempt in November 2022 which suggested they charged migrants £1,650 each for a crossing in an HGV.
Messages also referred to multiple dinghies, indicating multiple crossings and the scale of the operation Karim was operating.
On 19 January 2023, Karim about a crossing by lorry, charging £24,000. The voice note was translated to say: "the okay for two passengers, £24,000. Give the 'okay'. With the agreement that the driver boarding them one side and the driver dropping them the other side. If they were arrested in Dover inside the lorry, they not pay a cent."
Karim was arrested in Portsmouth in March 2024 and pleaded guilty to people smuggling offences in June 2024.
He was sentenced to eight years and seven months in prison on Wednesday 25 February. The Judge said he played a 'leading role' in the people smuggling operation.
NCA Branch Commander Rachel Bramley said:
"Karim was involved in transporting people by HGV, small boat, yachts and planes. He was high up in the chain of command, making decisions on crossing days, routes and prices.
"This was a long-running NCA investigation working alongside partners in the UK and overseas. Tackling organised immigration crime is a top priority for the NCA and we are doing all we can to target, disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks behind it, wherever they operate."
25 February 2026
