People Smuggler Locked Up for Nine Years After Ferrying Migrants Across Channel
Marinel Danut Palage, 31, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after ferrying illegal migrants from France to Portsmouth, before moving them on to West Sussex.
Deadly Smuggling Runs Exposed
According to Bournemouth Crown Court, Palage carried out the operation at least three times, transporting around 10 to 12 migrants unlawfully into the UK. The Romanian national, who lived in Spain, played a key role in a criminal gang, the National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed.
After a four-year probe, Palage and four others were arrested in March 2019. During a search of his cab, police found plastic bags stuffed with £34,500 in cash, plus additional euros and sterling worth around £7,000 hidden behind a tachograph panel.
No Remorse from Career Crime Boss
Judge William Mousley KC hit out, saying: “You expected, and received, large sums of money for your involvement.” The court heard Palage showed no remorse, having committed similar offences in Germany before being extradited to face UK justice.
The judge also ordered the seizure of Palage’s vehicle and all the cash found.
Gang Still on the Run as Other Members Jailed
Fellow smuggler Pshtewan Ghafour, 37, from Middlesbrough, was jailed for five years for his part in the operation. Meanwhile, the NCA continues to hunt the fugitive ringleader Goran Jalal, 37, from bradford/" title="Bradford" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Bradford, who fled after being arrested.
Other gang members – Kamaran Kader, 44, of Bradford; Mariwan Mustafa, 33, of Halifax; Jamal Saied, 38, of Manchester; and Hemin Salih, 37, also from Manchester – face separate sentencing, with Salih also having absconded.
“This people smuggling gang showed zero regard for the safety of vulnerable migrants, including children, cramming them into refrigerated lorries during perilous Channel crossings,” said NCA branch commander Richard Harrison.
“Their only motivation was profit, putting lives at risk for money.”
