Two men convicted over their involvement in a major people smuggling ring have been extradited to Belgium after being arrested in south London and Hertfordshire.
The men – both Afghan nationals – were tracked down by specialist National Crime Agency (NCA) extradition officers following a joint investigation with Belgian police.
They are 21-year-old Zeeshan Banghis, also known as Bangash Zeeshan, who was arrested at an address on New Kent Road, south London, on 18 December 2024, and Saifur Rahman Ahmedzai, also known as Raees Hamza, 24, who was arrested at an address in Hemel Hempstead on 30 December.
Belgian prosecutors say the gang was involved in organising the transport of migrants from Afghanistan through Iran, Turkey and the Balkans into western Europe, mainly France and Belgium.
Many were later put onto small boats from northern France to the UK, with the group suspected of transporting thousands of people this way.
The group is also accused of committing serious sexual offences against male migrant minors, including rape. Prosecutors say the offences were filmed and the footage used to blackmail victims into criminality and further sexual abuse.
NCA investigators supported the Belgian investigation for around two years, providing intelligence and evidence to the Belgian Federal Police about suspected members of the network.
In November 2024, a court in Antwerp convicted and sentenced the two men along with 21 other gang members to a combined total of 170 years in prison. Individual sentences ranged from two to 18 years.
Eleven members were tried in their absence, including the two men later arrested in the UK.
Ahmedzai was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Banghis received a three-year sentence. Both were also fined 3,000 Euros.
Ahmedzai was extradited to Belgium in June last year. Banghis was extradited yesterday, 15 January. They will now serve the remainder of their sentences in a Belgian prison.
Officers also worked with Border Force and Immigration Enforcement to identify migrants and victims who had been brought to the UK, carrying out safeguarding checks.
Andy Kelly, head of the NCA’s National Extradition Unit, said: “This gang operated across the globe and piled misery on migrants they transported, all for the sake of making a profit.
“Many of these people would have been extremely vulnerable, which makes it all the more shocking that disgraceful sexual offences were committed against some of them.
“Our joint investigation with Belgian law enforcement is another example of international action succeeding against a global threat.
“These extraditions display a very strong message that work to disrupt and dismantle the gangs behind this horrendous trade will never slow down.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
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