People smugglers sentenced following long-running NCA investigation

Two east London criminals who arranged for migrants to be smuggled into the UK using lorries and small aircraft have been sentenced to a combined total of five years and two months.

The pair were convicted in March this year, following a major eight-year investigation by the National Crime Agency into the activities of a significant Albanian organised crime syndicate.

Albanian nationals Myrteza Hilaj, 50, and Kreshnik Kadena, 37, both from Leyton, were behind at least nine migrant journeys in 2016 and 2017, three of which were via a light aircraft to an aerodrome in Essex. Hilaj was the UK co-ordinator for the multi-national organised crime group.

In 2017, NCA officers prevented and intercepted a number of crossings from Europe, working closely with French and Belgian counterparts. Many of the migrants had Hilaj’s number saved on their phones, and had either communicated directly with him or with common contacts.

Telephone evidence revealed that the pair were fixers for a criminal network that charged Albanian migrants around £10,000 each to enter the UK, and then helped those individuals establish themselves in the country. This included providing them with counterfeit passports, ID cards and fake utility bills.

Hilaj ensured that the vehicles transporting migrants arrived safely at a discreet location in the UK, dropped off their passengers and returned to their scheduled legitimate route without arousing suspicion. He was also in regular contact with illegal migrants before and during their journey.

Kadena acted as his assistant and was primarily involved in smuggling migrants using light aircraft. On 9 July 2017, he helped to facilitate a flight carrying an unknown number of migrants from Calais to Essex, travelling to Stapleford airfield himself to collect and transport the migrants from the airfield once they had landed.

A planned flight on 17 July 2017 was intercepted by French police before the aircraft took off from Marck airfield near Calais. Four migrants, including a child, were safeguarded. The UK pilot and facilitator were both arrested, the latter having been in frequent contact with Kadena. Both were charged and convicted in France.

On the same day, following the interception in France, NCA surveillance officers observed Hilaj and Kadena at a “fallout” meeting in a pub.

Hilaj and Kadena were arrested on 26 July 2017 at their home addresses by the NCA. Hilaj was found with a number of false identity documents which he planned to pass on to those he helped to smuggle in. On one of his phones, officers discovered messages in which he had corrected typing errors on false documents, as well as online searches regarding the aircraft interdiction on 17 July. 

Kadena was found with a small quantity of cannabis, as well as a security fob for the gate at Stapleford Airfield.

Hilaj and Kadena were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court today to three years and six months, and one year and eight months respectively.

The result marks the end of an eight-year NCA investigation – codenamed Operation Micropus – into an Albanian organised crime group involved in facilitating illegal migration, money laundering, drug trafficking and the supply of counterfeit documents.

To date, the operation has resulted in:

• 27 arrests, 11 UK convictions and 9 convictions overseas
• the safeguarding of over 50 migrants
• the closure of four “forgery factories”
• A Proceeds of Crime confiscation of £5.46M and an order for £939,000
• the seizure of four tonnes of cannabis and 30 kilos of cocaine

Saju Sasikumar, NCA Senior Investigating Officer, said:

“Operation Micropus has seen us uncover and dismantle an organised crime group who not only facilitated illegal migration, but provided a complete service to those they helped into the country, ensuring they could gain work and access services illegally.

“It demonstrates our resolve to go after all those involved in people smuggling, who risk the lives of others in pursuit of profit.

“Tackling organised immigration crime is a priority for the National Crime Agency, and our efforts are only increasing.

“Alongside our UK and international partners, we are working tirelessly to target those involved at every stage of the route.”

Notes to editors

Footage can be found here:

https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/qpSyWIVuQr

https://spaces.hightail.com/space/zWjghUMg0Y

Convictions:

1. Myrteza HILAJ (DoB 30/05/1973), of Leyton Green Road, Leyton
2. Kreshnik KADENA (DoB 17/07/1986), of Beaumont Road, Leyton

Both were convicted of one count of facilitation of illegal immigration contrary to section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971.

Other convictions under Operation Micropus include:

3. Dmytro MYKHAILYTSKYI (16/02/1979) – convicted of conspiracy to supply articles used in fraud. Sentenced to 5 years 4 months imprisonment.
4. Sergiy MYKHAYLOV (18/07/1980) – convicted of conspiracy to supply articles used in fraud. Sentenced to 5 years 4 months imprisonment.
5. Genadjis KALANINS (15/07/1981) – convicted of conspiracy to supply articles used in fraud. Sentenced to 6 years 3 months imprisonment.
6. Oleksandr SUKHOVIY (25/03/1979) – convicted of conspiracy to supply articles used in fraud. Sentenced to 6 years imprisonment.
7. Igkli CHOTZA (13/12/1994) – convicted of possessing/controlling identity documents with intent. Sentenced to 4 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months.
8. Ardelean FLORIN PETRU (02/02/1976) – convicted of making/possessing/controlling apparatus/article/material designed/adapted for making false identity documents. Also convicted of possessing/ controlling identity documents with intent, and of acquiring/using/possessing criminal property. Sentenced to 4 years imprisonment. Deported to Hungary on 28/10/2018.
9. Aurelia VILESCU (25/02/1983) – convicted of making/possessing/controlling apparatus/article/material designed/adapted for making false identity documents.  Also convicted of possessing/controlling identity documents with intent. Sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. Deported to Romania on 29/03/2018.
10. Rudolfo CARPIO-GONZALEZ (29/05/1974) – convicted of making/supplying articles for use in fraud, making/possessing/controlling apparatus/article/material designed/adapted for making false identity documents, and possessing listed false instrument with intent to use. Sentenced to 24 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months.
11. Arsen BACULI (17/05/2018) – convicted of possessing/controlling identity documents with intent, and possession of a controlled Class A drug. Sentenced to 4 years 8 months imprisonment. Deportation order to Albania enforced on 21/11/19.

The following convictions took place outside of the UK:

12. David GREEN – pilot intercepted in France. Convicted of aiding the illegal entry, movement or residence of a Foreign National in France or in a state subject to the Schengen Agreement, by an organised gang. Sentenced to 2 years 6 months immediate imprisonment and confiscation of vehicle. Prohibited from entering French territory for 5 years.
13. Edward BUCKLEY – convicted of assisting as part of an organised gang with the illegal entry, trafficking or remaining of a Foreign National in France or in a member state of the Schengen Convention. Sentenced to immediate 2 years 6 months imprisonment. Prohibited from entering French territory for 5 years and confiscation of vehicle.

The following convictions also took place outside the UK, and are all of drivers / facilitators.

14. Tarik NERGIZ – convicted in France and sentenced to immediate 12 months imprisonment & prohibition from returning to the departments of the North and of the Pas de Calais for 2 years.
15. Iullian GEORGESCU – convicted in France and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 6 months and banned for two years from entering the departments of the North and of the Pas de Calais.
16. Ionut UDEANU – convicted in France and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 6 months and banned for two years from entering the departments of the North and of the Pas de Calais.
17. Claudia SERBAN – Romanian driver arrested in Belgium. Sentenced to 3 years and fine; postponed / deprived of rights for 5 years.
18. Man METALIA – arrested in Belgium. Sentenced to 18 months and fine; postponed/deprived of rights for 3 years.
19. Rasim METALIA – arrested in Belgium. Sentenced to 18 months and fine; postponed/deprived of rights for 3 years.
20. Prezmyslaw TOMASZEWSKI – arrested in Belgium. Sentenced to 20 months imprisonment and fine; prohibition of rights for 5 years.

The French convictions were delivered by the Court of Boulogne-sur-Mer.