Two Kurdish men, Dilshad Shamo, 41, and Ali Khdir, 40, have pleaded guilty to running a people-smuggling operation from a car wash in Caerphilly, United Kingdom. The duo admitted to all charges on the tenth day of their trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

Charges and Investigation

Shamo and Khdir faced five counts of conspiring to breach migration laws in various European countries, including Italy, Romania, Croatia, and Germany. The charges, brought in February, relate to the smuggling of migrants from Iran, Iraq, and Syria into EU countries between September 2022 and April 2023.

The National Crime Agency (NCA), which led the investigation with support from Gwent Police, described the men as living "a double life." While running Fast Track Hand Car Wash in Caerphilly, they were also part of a "prolific people-smuggling group moving migrants across Europe."

Details of the Operation

According to the prosecution, migrants paid several thousand pounds each for their journeys, often using the Hawala credit transfer system. Four main trafficking routes were identified, utilizing HGV lorries, ships, and smaller vehicles such as cars and taxis. Many of the migrants are suspected of having reached the UK.

The car wash, prosecutors argued, provided a front for the smuggling activities, allowing Shamo and Khdir to conceal their illegal operations.

Background of the Defendants

Shamo, born in Iraq, and Khdir, of Kurdish-Iranian descent and born in Iran, had both become British citizens. Their involvement in the larger organized crime group, uncovered by the NCA, revealed an extensive network facilitating illegal migration across Europe.

Guilty Pleas and Sentencing

Initially denying all charges, the defendants changed their pleas to guilty on Friday, marking the tenth day of their trial. Sentencing is expected at a later date.

The NCA emphasized the severity of the operation, highlighting its impact on vulnerable migrants and the risks associated with such journeys.