A convicted people smuggler once called "the godfather" of French migrant camps has been found living in Leicestershire, where he is seeking asylum while working illegally.
A joint investigation by the BBC and Express tracked down Twana Jamal, an Iraqi Kurd sentenced to five years in prison in France in 2016 for facilitating illegal cross-Channel transport.
>>> Fabian Ruiz Emphasizes Spain Team Unity Ahead of Austria Match
French prosecutors said Jamal managed operations from the Grand-Synthe camp near Dunkirk between 2012 and 2016, allegedly earning up to £100,000 per week by charging migrants £4,500 to £5,000 each for entry into Britain via freight lorries.
Journalists located Jamal in the village of Blaby, where he was operating a cash register under a false name and driving without a license, exposing potential vulnerabilities in UK border screening.
European law enforcement officials told investigators that 15 other convicted people smugglers are currently living in the UK under assumed identities.
When confronted about his past convictions and immigration status, Jamal claimed he was waiting for an official decision on his asylum application.
"Still waiting," Jamal said, adding that he had no involvement in smuggling operations and denied his previous imprisonment, but refused to clarify a 2016 French courtroom photograph identifying him.
>>> UK Issues Yellow Heat Alert as Temperatures Set to Rise This Weekend
"I don't care," he replied when shown evidence of his arrest. In an earlier recorded conversation, he expressed no concern about local law enforcement or background checks.
"We know everyone in this city, this city is ours," Jamal boasted, adding that he faced no difficulties working illegally.
"No-one touches us here. Even the police won't stop you."
The Home Office responded by stating that all asylum claimants undergo mandatory security checks to confirm identity for immigration, security, and criminality purposes.
>>> MLB All-Star Voting Enters Final Hours; Ohtani, Clement Already In
The department noted that domestic illegal working enforcement arrests have risen by 83% following targeted tracking initiatives, and the UK has agreements with other countries to share criminal record information.
