A people-smuggler who uploaded videos of happy customers and assisted migrants in crossing the Channel in small boats was sentenced to 17 years in prison for immigration offenses.
Preston-based Iranian national Amanj Hasan Zada posted videos of customers expressing gratitude for his services together with advertisements on social media.
He was connected by the National Crime Agency (NCA) to three different Kurdish migrant crossings from France to the UK in November and December of last year.
In one video, migrants on a boat were seen clapping and congratulating Zada.
He was also honored by a group that traveled to Macedonia.
Before arriving in Britain, the groups had passed through Germany, Belgium, and France in Eastern Europe.
