The UK government is ramping up its fight against the "untouchable" kingpins of people-smuggling networks operating in Iraq, with nearly £1 million in new funding to dismantle their criminal empires. The investment, announced ahead of a major international crime summit, aims to strengthen Iraq’s ability to prosecute smuggling gangs, fortify border security, and disrupt routes used to funnel migrants toward the UK.

Groundbreaking UK-Iraq Partnership Delivers Results

Since Home Secretary [Name] signed a landmark agreement with Iraq four months ago, joint operations have already led to high-profile arrests, including three senior members of a smuggling network impacting the UK. The new funding will:

Support new anti-smuggling laws in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), enabling authorities to prosecute organised crime groups.

Provide training and tech to border officials, with over 100 Iraqi personnel taught to detect fraudulent documents.

Deploy forgery-detection devices across labs in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk, leveraging UK expertise in counterfeit document detection.
NCA Hunts Down "Top Tier" Smugglers

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has over 70 live investigations into high-level immigration crime networks, including those based in the KRI. A recent joint operation with Kurdish forces marked the first of its kind, signalling tighter collaboration.

Cracking Down on the Smuggling Supply Chain

The UK-led strategy is also choking off the gangs’ resources:

8,000+ smuggling-linked social media accounts removed in 2024.
600+ boats and engines seized by European partners before they could be used in deadly Channel crossings.

Financial tracking to freeze gang assets and disrupt payments.
"Cowards Counting Blood Money" – Minister’s Warning

Security Minister Dan Jarvis issued a stark message to smuggling bosses:

"The ‘Mr Bigs’ of these gangs are cowards who hide abroad while their stooges do the dirty work. They pack people into flimsy boats, risking lives for profit. We’re hunting them down, dismantling their networks, and ending their illusion of being untouchable."

Global Summit to Tighten the Noose

The UK will host the first Organised Immigration Crime Summit (31 March–1 April), co-chaired by Iraq and the KRI, to strengthen international cooperation. Discussions will focus on supply-chain controls, maritime smuggling, and document fraud.

A Long-Term Plan

The Home Office emphasised that the partnership tackles root causes of smuggling while safeguarding vulnerable migrants. With Iraq as a key ally, the UK aims to dismantle smuggling networks before they reach European shores.