In 2026, the Offender Database recorded that Ramal Briem, 33, was sentenced to just over 10 years in prison for his role as a key coordinator in an international people-smuggling syndicate. On appearing for sentencing at Worcester Crown Court, the defendant—an Iraqi national formerly of Trinity Court, Crawford Road, Wolverhampton—was described by the judge as a “serious example of a people trafficker.” It was reported that Briem, who himself entered the UK illegally via a small boat in 2020, referred to vulnerable migrants as “chickens” and “preyed” on them for financial gain.
The investigation established that Briem was part of an organised crime group (OCG) that transported significant numbers of people into the UK, including an incident in March 2024 where six migrants were brought to Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, in the back of a Dutch-registered lorry. The National Crime Agency (NCA) reported that Briem pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration at Wolverhampton Crown Court in October 2024. The prosecution reported that the gang specifically targeted Vietnamese nationals, smuggling them from Romania into Home Office-managed hotels to “blend” into local communities.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that the primary evidence against Briem came from seized mobile phones containing messages between him and a gang member known as “Kevin.” Worcester Crown Court heard that the pair discussed the movement of “30 chickens in Dunkerque” and negotiated prices, with Briem once suggesting that if he received “20 chickens, two of them were free.” The investigation established that a ledger found at Briem’s home contained the names of approximately 1,000 Vietnamese nationals, with 250 of them having thousands of pounds recorded next to their names.
Judge Andrew Lockhart KC stated that victims were threatened, abused, and placed at “huge risk” by the gang’s actions. For his activities in Staffordshire and Wolverhampton, Briem was handed a sentence of 10 years and three months. The judge suggested that Briem should be deported immediately upon the completion of his sentence, noting that he had exploited the very asylum system he had sought to use after arriving in the UK illegally himself.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Ramal Briem is as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 10 years and 3 months (Sentenced 2026).
- Deportation Status: Recommended for deportation following the completion of his term.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Worcester Crown Court following an NCA and Staffordshire Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.
- Origin: Trinity Court, Crawford Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Briem is managed as a high-risk organized criminal within the prison estate. Due to the nature of his conduct in Staffordshire, which involved the systemic exploitation of human beings for profit and coordination with international gang members, his management is a priority for the NCA’s Organized Crime Command. Authorities state that the ledger found at his property indicates a massive scale of operation, and ongoing efforts are being made to identify the 1,000 individuals listed to prevent further exploitation by the OCG.
As a convicted people smuggler, Briem’s details are shared with international policing agencies, including those in France and the Netherlands. Authorities state that his history of using “chickens” as a code word for human lives in Wolverhampton demonstrates a callous disregard for safety. Any attempt by his associates to continue the plot—which involved moving migrants into specific hotels—is being monitored by Staffordshire Police and the Home Office to ensure the integrity of the UK’s borders and the protection of vulnerable communities.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.