Man suspected of smuggling hundreds of migrants into Europe arrested in London
A man suspected of smuggling hundreds of migrants into Europe has been arrested in central London.
Majid Muhamad was apprehended in the Westminster area after Italian authorities issued a warrant for his arrest.
The 54-year-old is accused of being involved in trafficking migrants, including Iranian, Syrian, Iraqi and Egyptian nationals, through the Mediterranean and into Italy in boats.
It is alleged that the final destination for many of those people was the UK, France and Belgium.
Muhamad, an Iraqi national, was arrested on February 25 by specialist National Extradition Unit officers from the National Crime Agencies Joint International Crime Centre.
He has been remanded into custody as plans to extradite him to Italy begin and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on May 1.
Tony Allen, from the NCA's Joint International Crime Centre, said: "The swift work of our National Extradition Unit officers has led to the arrest of an individual in the UK who allegedly smuggled hundreds of migrants into Europe.
"This action signifies our commitment to working with partners domestically and internationally to apprehend those suspected of being involved in organised immigration crime.
"Targeting, disrupting and dismantling people smuggling networks remains a top priority for the NCA."
It comes as Downing Street defended its plan to stop small boat crossings after a 20% increase in migrants travelling across the Channel so far this year.
In the first three days of March, 842 people made the perilous journey from France to the UK, Home Office data showed on Tuesday.
Small boat arrivals hit a daily high over the weekend as 592 people travelled across the water on March 2.
It is the largest number of arrivals on a single day so far in 2025.
Earlier this year the Government announced new powers designed to 'turbocharge efforts to smash the gangs' who charge thousands of pounds to smuggle migrants across the Channel.
The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill sets out proposals to treat people smugglers like terrorists.
Suspects face travel bans, social-media blackouts and restrictions on their electronic devices and internet access.
Measures also include a new criminal offence of endangering the lives of others at sea, which carries a jail term of up to five years.
Those convicted of acts in preparation for people trafficking - such as buying boat parts - will face up to 14 years in prison.
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