In the sleepy French port of Calais, a notorious human trafficking operation was set to come to an end, but its aftermath would have far-reaching consequences. On that fateful evening of August 11, 2023, a young Afghan migrant named Navidullah H. stood at the edge of the infamous "jungle" migrant camp, ready to embark on his perilous journey to Britain. For €16,000, he had left behind the Taliban regime and was now about to join some 67 other migrants on a flimsy rubber dinghy bound for the English Channel.
As the boat set off in the darkness of morning, Navidullah would later recount to French police how masked smugglers threatened anyone who didn't board. The vessel, which seemed woefully inadequate for its passenger load of 68, hit the water with a jolt and began its ill-fated journey. Just two hours into the crossing, the motor broke down, leaving the passengers to fend for themselves in the freezing 18°C waters.
The odds were stacked against them: most migrants didn't know how to swim, and the life jackets they had fashioned from inner tubes around their waists offered little protection from the elements or the unforgiving sea. Panic set in as the vessel began to collapse, sending passengers tumbling into the water. It was only a matter of time before tragedy struck.
Rescue teams eventually located the distress signal around 5:30 am and launched a rescue operation. The grim toll would be seven lives lost – all under the age of 30 – among the 68 migrants on board. For those who survived, the trauma would linger long after they returned to shore.
Meanwhile, back on land, French authorities were scrambling to piece together the events leading up to the disaster. It soon became clear that Idrees G., an Iraqi Kurd known only by his alias "the Great Haji", had been at the helm of this particular operation. The 45-year-old, a notorious smuggler with a history of evading justice, had allegedly recruited dozens of migrants from Iraq and Afghanistan to join him on his perilous journey.
Idrees G.'s modus operandi was one of calculated brutality: he would often use violence to instill fear in rival smugglers and their clients alike. His accomplice, Tariq H., a man with a history of attempted murder and migrant smuggling, had been tracked by German police for months after an investigation into similar accusations.
As the full extent of Idrees G.'s operation became clear, French authorities began to close in on him. The two men were formally charged with manslaughter, as well as aiding and abetting illegal immigration as part of an organised criminal group. And yet, even behind bars, they seemed to be reveling in their notoriety – boasting of the lucrative profits that came from smuggling migrants across the English Channel.
Their brazen claims would only serve to underscore the complexity and sheer scale of this illicit trade. For those caught up in it, the stakes are often too high to resist: a single crossing can net a smuggler as much as €6,000 or €7,000 per month. It's a staggering figure that has proven all too alluring for some.
As Idrees G.'s trial approaches on November 4, one thing is clear – the world of migrant smuggling is a dark and unforgiving realm, where violence, corruption, and greed are ever-present. And yet, even as the authorities close in on its most notorious players, the trade itself shows no signs of dying down anytime soon.
As the boat set off in the darkness of morning, Navidullah would later recount to French police how masked smugglers threatened anyone who didn't board. The vessel, which seemed woefully inadequate for its passenger load of 68, hit the water with a jolt and began its ill-fated journey. Just two hours into the crossing, the motor broke down, leaving the passengers to fend for themselves in the freezing 18°C waters.
The odds were stacked against them: most migrants didn't know how to swim, and the life jackets they had fashioned from inner tubes around their waists offered little protection from the elements or the unforgiving sea. Panic set in as the vessel began to collapse, sending passengers tumbling into the water. It was only a matter of time before tragedy struck.
Rescue teams eventually located the distress signal around 5:30 am and launched a rescue operation. The grim toll would be seven lives lost – all under the age of 30 – among the 68 migrants on board. For those who survived, the trauma would linger long after they returned to shore.
Meanwhile, back on land, French authorities were scrambling to piece together the events leading up to the disaster. It soon became clear that Idrees G., an Iraqi Kurd known only by his alias "the Great Haji", had been at the helm of this particular operation. The 45-year-old, a notorious smuggler with a history of evading justice, had allegedly recruited dozens of migrants from Iraq and Afghanistan to join him on his perilous journey.
Idrees G.'s modus operandi was one of calculated brutality: he would often use violence to instill fear in rival smugglers and their clients alike. His accomplice, Tariq H., a man with a history of attempted murder and migrant smuggling, had been tracked by German police for months after an investigation into similar accusations.
As the full extent of Idrees G.'s operation became clear, French authorities began to close in on him. The two men were formally charged with manslaughter, as well as aiding and abetting illegal immigration as part of an organised criminal group. And yet, even behind bars, they seemed to be reveling in their notoriety – boasting of the lucrative profits that came from smuggling migrants across the English Channel.
Their brazen claims would only serve to underscore the complexity and sheer scale of this illicit trade. For those caught up in it, the stakes are often too high to resist: a single crossing can net a smuggler as much as €6,000 or €7,000 per month. It's a staggering figure that has proven all too alluring for some.
As Idrees G.'s trial approaches on November 4, one thing is clear – the world of migrant smuggling is a dark and unforgiving realm, where violence, corruption, and greed are ever-present. And yet, even as the authorities close in on its most notorious players, the trade itself shows no signs of dying down anytime soon.
this whole situation is so messed up 
idrees g's modus operandi sounds super ruthless 
and it's crazy that ppl are making that kind of cash off ppl's lives 
€6,000/month for a crossing? 
how can u even justify that? 
and what about the ppl who lost their lives? 
7 lives lost is way too much 
gotta keep pushing for change to make this trade less lucrative and safe for migrants 
The stats are mind-blowing: 68 people risked their lives for €16k 
(avg. cost per migrant: €233) and €6k-€7k/month 
, with a 1 in 5 chance of being rescued, but even then, survivors often suffer from PTSD 
. The 'Great Haji' and his accomplice are making bank off people's desperation 
. Like, who knew that saving one life could be so heartwarming? Anyway, back to migrant smuggling... I mean, €6,000 is a crazy amount of money to make off of human trafficking 
the €6,000-€7,000 profit for one crossing? that's insane! 
this whole situation is just so heartbreaking & frustrating at the same time. i mean, navidullah's story is one thing, but the fact that there are people like idrees g. out there who are making millions off the backs of vulnerable ppl is just disgusting 
. and what really gets me is how the authorities are scrambling to figure out all these complex human trafficking operations while these smugglers are just living it up behind bars 
.
... I guess that's what happens when greed and corruption mix 
. Navidullah H.'s story is just a reminder that people are desperate for a better life and will do whatever it takes to escape their situation 
. It's disgusting that he and his accomplice, Tariq H., are getting charged with manslaughter instead of being held accountable for their crimes from the start 
.
. And as for Idrees G. and his ilk, they should be facing much harsher penalties for their crimes 
.
. We owe it to ourselves, our fellow humans, and future generations to make sure that this kind of thing never happens again 
.
and my croissants were literally taking over the world! Like, they were rolling around on the streets, and people were trying to stop them but they just kept on going. It was soooo vivid! Anyway, back to Calais... this migrant smuggling thing is just wild, you know? Like, €6k or more for a one-way ticket to Britain? That's insane! I wonder what it would be like to take a trip across the channel for real 
. €16,000 for a chance at a new life? That's a steep price to pay for human lives 
. And what about the conditions in that migrant camp? Was it really as "sleepy" as they say, or were there warning signs that we're not hearing about? Sources, anyone? 
. And these guys, they're not even ashamed of what they do? Boastin' about their profits like they're some kinda heroes 
. The stats are insane – €6,000 to €7,000 per month for smugglin' people across the Channel? It's like they're tryin' to break a record or somethin' 
.
but the fact that they're bragging about their profits is just sickening 
and €6k a month for smuggling people? that's insane