BBC Identifies 28-Year-Old Kardo Muhammad Amen Jaf in Network Behind Most Channel Crossings
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 12
BBC Identifies 28-Year-Old Kardo Muhammad Amen Jaf in Network Behind Most Channel Crossings
2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 12
Kardo Muhammad Amen Jaf, a 28-year-old Iraqi Kurd long known only as “Kardo Ranya,” was identified by a BBC investigation as a leading smuggler in the network believed to drive most small-boat crossings to the UK.
€17,000 is the reported price for moving one migrant from Iraq to the UK, while a purported VIP family package discussed on WhatsApp was quoted at £160,000; Jaf denied being a smuggler when confronted.
One crossing linked by phone evidence to Jaf’s network saw about 100 people packed onto a boat built for fewer than 20, with four people believed lost overboard, including 24-year-old Shwana from Ranya.
French authorities recently jailed alleged collaborator Noah Aaron for 10 years, and Jaf is now wanted for questioning by at least one European police force, though his whereabouts remain unknown.
The case highlights how Kurdish smuggling networks centered on Ranya exploit poor prospects in Iraqi Kurdistan, feeding a route that has made small boats the main detected path of illegal entry to the UK since 2020.
Are governments losing the tech war against smugglers who use social media to sell dangerous journeys?
With one smuggling kingpin unmasked, is the network truly broken or just awaiting a new leader?
Can policing borders succeed without addressing the economic despair that fuels the smuggling industry?
41,472 Crossings, One Network: The Rise and Reach of the "Ranya Boys" Smuggling Empire
Overview
A BBC investigation has revealed Kardo Muhammad Amen Jaf as the mastermind behind the "Ranya Boys" smuggling network, which is believed to be responsible for most illegal Channel crossings in recent years. Jaf operated for years under the alias "Kardo Ranya," carefully hiding his real identity and making it difficult for European law enforcement to track him. This strategic use of an alias allowed him to continue his operations undetected, highlighting the sophisticated and elusive nature of these smuggling networks. The unmasking of Jaf marks a significant step in efforts to disrupt these criminal enterprises.