An Albanian man who helped to smuggle people into the United Kingdom through East Cowes Marina has been jailed for his part in organising the voyages.
Floreand Lika, of Temple Street in Portsmouth, was sentenced to 4 years and 4 months’ imprisonment at Portsmouth Crown Court today (Friday).
The court heard the 27-year-old Albanian national was responsible for arranging for fellow Albanians to board vessels in France, to be brought to the UK. He was in phone contact during 2 voyages with 1 of 3 men sentenced earlier this year for their part in bringing people into the country illegally.
On 19th March 2020, a vessel which had travelled from Cherbourg in France arrived at East Cowes Marina on the Isle of Wight with 12 additional people suspected to have been migrants entering the UK illegally.
Between 26th June and 27th June 2020, another small boat was intercepted after a joint operation with SEROCU, the National Crime Agency and French authorities. 6 Albanians were found to be on board without the necessary pre-entry clearance needed to enter the UK. Also on board was Josh Van Praagh, who was jailed for 3 years in France back in June 2020.
Lika pleaded guilty to conspiring to do an act to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non EU person, contrary to the Immigration Act at a hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on 15th June.
Following an investigation by Police officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU), 3 men who Lika worked with to bring people into the UK were sentenced for their roles in the offence in March this year, as previously reported by Island Echo.
Lika was arrested on 14th June after SEROCU officers continued efforts to locate him, with support from Hampshire Constabulary.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Clair Trueman, from SEROCU, has said:
“People making perilous crossings to enter the United Kingdom take a gamble with their lives and those who facilitate this offence should rightly be brought before a court. Our investigation uncovered Lika’s involvement in what was organised international crime on a large scale so we continued our efforts to trace him, working closely in partnership with other law enforcement partners.
“The evidence Lika faced was so strong that he pleaded guilty, acknowledging his role in this people smuggling ring. SEROCU officers continue to work to tackle the threat organised crime poses to the South East and beyond.”
He deserved to be jailed life time,people like him should be sentenced harsher.
Drug dealer,smuggler,after couple of years later change name ,surname ,and back to business.
Drug dealer,smuggler,after couple of years later change name ,surname ,and back to business.
Will he be deported back home to gangsterland?
Of course not.
They always get away with it.Mens like him needs hitler back in duty.
Seems Someone sang like a Canary to have his sentence reduced. Best hope they don’t hold a grudge if so.
I’m sure it’ll all be ok now we have control of our borders.
Ain’t m8,thousand of people come each day, and you how how much it’s cost for a person to cross the board to uk 25-30k.
Why is he not being deported? Us tax payers now have to keep him in prison? He won’t even serve the full sentence them back to work he goes.
I thought Priti Patel and the government were meant to be increasing sentences to life for people smuggling so how come these crooks only get 3 or 4 years. They should all of received much harsher sentences. I for one would like to give them a good kicking!