Two men who tried to smuggle migrants into the UK inside a speedboat have been jailed.

Inaros Ranya and Kalid Mohammad Rashid were sentenced to a total four years and two months yesterday.

The speedboat is towed in to the country

The convictions relate to an incident on September 5, 2018, during which three migrants, including a child, were found.

A car towing a trailer and speedboat and driven by Ranya, was selected for inspection by Border Force officers at Dover.

The British-registered Nissan Pathfinder had arrived at the port on a ferry from Calais.

Ranya had previously crossed from Dover to Dunkirk, while towing the trailer and boat, on September 3.

An x-ray examination of the boat showed three people, a man, woman and child concealed in a purpose built hide constructed under the cockpit of the vessel.

After the Iraqi nationals in the boat were brought out further examination showed that the wall under the cockpit had been specifically added to the boat for smuggling.

Ranya was arrested by Border Force officers and two mobile phones he had were seized.

The case was passed to Immigration Enforcement’s Criminal and Financial Investigation team and Ranya was released under investigation.

Further enquiries found that Ranya had bought the boat using an alternative name.

Photographs obtained from the previous owner proved that the wall under the cockpit had been installed after the purchase.

CCTV footage of Ranya departing from the UK showed the boat he was towing with the altered cockpit installed.

Data downloaded from his phones also found three-way calls, dating from August 2018 until the date of the offence.

These were between Ranya, Rashid and the migrants found in the boat.

It was also discovered that the Nissan was registered to a car body business owned by Rashid.

On July 25, 2019, CFI officers executed warrants at Ranya’s and Rashid’s home addresses, both in Ashton under Lyne, Greater Manchester.

Both men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

Ranya, 37, and Rashid, 36, who are both British citizens were each convicted on three charges of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration

Ranya, of Oldham Road, was jailed for 20 months and Rashid, of Platting Grove, for 30 months at Manchester Crown Court.

Rashid had been convicted following a trial, while Ranya had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

Dan Scully, director for Border Force South East and Europe, said after the court hearing:

“Border Force Officers selected the car and trailer for examination and identified a purpose built hide in the cockpit of the boat.

"It was an important detection, without which Ranya and Rashid would not be facing justice."

Dave Magrath, deputy director of CFI, said: “Illegal migration is a criminal activity.

"Anyone who facilitates the journeys for those who seek to come to the UK unlawfully are breaking the law and endangering lives.

“The sentences handed down send a clear message about the serious consequences faced by those engaged in people smuggling."

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit the website crimestoppers-uk.org

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