The trio, all Afghan nationals, have been apprehended after they were absent during their sentencing at a court in Antwerp, Belgium.
Officers first arrested 24-year-old Ziarmal Khan, also known as Boxer Bhai, on December 6 at Stansted Airport in relation to a domestic violence offence, and further arrested on behalf of the Belgians while in custody.
Zeeshan Banghis, 20, was then arrested on December 18 at an address on New Kent Road, Southwark.
Zeeshan Banghis (Image: NCA)
Finally, Saifur Rahman Ahmedzai, 23, was arrested in Hemel Hempstead on December 30.
Prosecutors in Belgium 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.
They are also suspected of bringing thousands of people from northern France to the UK on small boats.
According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), they committed “serious sexual offences” to young migrant boys, including raping them while recording and using the footage to blackmail the victims into criminality and further sexual abuse.
Saifur Rahman Ahmedzai (Image: NCA)
NCA investigators were supporting Belgian police with the case for around two years, supplying intelligence and evidence to the Belgian Federal Police around suspected members of the network.
Sentencing
In court last month, the trio and 20 other members of the gang were sentenced to a total of 170 years’ imprisonment, with sentences ranging from two to 18 years.
Eleven members were tried in their absence, including the three men arrested in the UK.
Banghis, who also goes by the name Bangash Zeeshan, and Khan were both given three years in jail.
Ahmedzai, who also goes by the name of was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
They now face being returned to Belgium to serve their sentences and extradition proceedings have commenced.
‘Nothing short of sickening’
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the case as “nothing short of sickening”.
“These men ran extensive illegal smuggling operations and inflicted extreme cruelty on the migrants they smuggled – some of them children – when they were at their most vulnerable,” she added.
“I am grateful to the NCA, Border Force and Immigration Enforcement officers, for their hard work and dedication in pursuing these vile criminal gangs, safeguarding victims of exploitation and protecting our borders.”
NCA Deputy Director Craig Turner said: “The work done by NCA officers, alongside partners in the UK and Belgium, was crucial to securing the convictions in Antwerp of gang members in November this year, and these further arrests should send a very clear message that we will not stop in our work to disrupt and dismantle the gangs that are behind these horrendous crimes.”