UK Car Wash Bosses Convicted of Leading Migrant Smuggling Network

Following a National Crime Agency investigation, two men were found guilty of running a people smuggling ring from Caerphilly to transport thousands of migrants throughout Europe. 

Although Dilshad Shamo, 41 and Ali Khdir, 40 seemed to be operating a prosperous car wash business in the Welsh town, they were actually being watched by NCA investigators who had discovered their involvement in a massive people smuggling ring which was assisted by Gwent Police.

The two were “leading a double life… they seemed to be operating a successful car wash,” according to the National Crime Agency (NCA) but they were also “part of a prolific people smuggling group moving migrants across Europe.”

To help migrants from Iraq, Iran and Syria go through Turkey, Belarus, Moldova and Bosnia before arriving in Italy, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Germany and France, Shamo and Khdir were part of a wider OCG. They are suspected of coming to the UK in large numbers.

In April 2023, Shamo and Khdir were initially taken into custody. Prior to being arrested Khdir was overheard saying to Shamo that “just tell them that we are buying and selling cars, just say we do transfer money from our home country.”

In February 2024, they were accused of aiding the movement of migrants throughout Europe. On November 11 both showed up for their trial at Cardiff Crown Court. Both entered guilty pleas to all charges on November 22 following ten days of hearing evidence against them. Prior to sentencing, a second hearing is scheduled for Monday.

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How did they execute migration?

Three levels of service were made available to migrants, the most basic was walking or using an HGV or smaller vehicle, the next was cargo ships or yachts and the highest was offering airline travel.

Deposits were made to Hawala bankers in Istanbul and Iraq who would organise and collect money from migrants using certain routes.

Shamo and Khdir communicated with people smugglers around Europe via WhatsApp. The ‘OK’ to relocate migrants along a particular route or within a given deadline would be given to them if a deposit was received. 

In order to promote their routes, they also used social media to offer videos from travellers who had already completed the trip. “We are very happy… this is the visa, may god bless him, we are really happy” says a family flying in one video as they describe their journey.

“Lorry route agreement, crossing agreement with the knowledge of the driver. Here we have men, women and children. Thank god the route was easy and good,” a man riding an HGV says to the camera in another video.