AN AFGHAN trafficking gang member who smuggled young boys into the UK before raping and blackmailing them has been extradited.
Zeeshan Banghis, also known as Bangash, and Saifur Rahman Ahmedzai would help organise the deprived operations.
The crime ring exploited migrants from Afghanistan and smuggled them through Iran, Turkey and the Balkans into Europe, including France and Belgium.
They would often be put on small boats from western Europe to the UK.
Harrowing footage was also uncovered of the gang members raping youngsters.
The videos would be used to blackmail them into lives of crime and more sexual exploitation.
Banghis and Ahmedzai were arrested by National Crime Agency extradition officers in December 2024 after a Belgian judge jailed them in their absence.
Ahmedzai was detained in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, while Banghis was arrested at an address on New Kent Road, in Southwark.
Banghis, 21, was sentenced to three years in jail in November 2024.
He will be extradited to Belgium to serve his sentence following a hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Ahmedzai, 24, was jailed for ten years and was extradited to Belgium last June to serve his sentence.
Both men were also fined 3,000 euros (£2,601).
The court also convicted 21 other gang members who were sentenced to a total of 170 years.
Two were found guilty of child sexual abuse and exploitation, and six other members were also sentenced for possession of indecent images of children.
Andy Kelly, head of the NCA’s National Extradition Unit, said: “This gang operated across the globe and piled misery on migrants they transported, all for the sake of making a profit.
“Many of these people would have been extremely vulnerable, which makes it all the more shocking that disgraceful sexual offences were committed against some of them.
“Our joint investigation with Belgian law enforcement is another example of international action succeeding against a global threat.
“These extraditions display a very strong message that work to disrupt and dismantle the gangs behind this horrendous trade will never slow down.”
Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper, said: “This case is 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.
“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.
“As part of the Government’s Plan for Change to strengthen our borders, we are working ever more closely with international partners to track down dangerous criminal networks like these, disrupt their activities and ensure they face the full force of the law, to protect people and save lives.
“In recent weeks we’ve agreed landmark new deals with Iraq and Germany, pledging mutual support and co-operation to tackle this shared challenge.
“At the Calais Group meeting with European partners too, we agreed to enhance our joint efforts to end this dangerous trade.
“Through this closer international collaboration, joint work between law enforcement agencies, new legislation, and the £150million cash investment in the Border Security Command, we are making clear we will stop at nothing to protect our borders from people-smuggling gangs.”
