A PEOPLE smuggler who helped bring illegal immigrants into the UK has been jailed for five-and-a-half-years.
Between June 30 and December 1, 2003, Jaskarn Singh Cheema, of Maye Place, Green Street Green Road, Dartford, helped more than 70 Punjabis into the UK.
They were smuggled in from France in adapted trailers made to look like they were being used on a booze cruise.
Cheema, aged 23, (pictured) was responsible for supervising the collection of the immigrants in France.
He arranged their secret transportation to the UK and collected fees of up to £4,000 by using threats of violence.
The smugglers were intercepted by Kent police, the National Crime Squad and the French authorities.
Cheema admitted to conspiring to smuggle illegal immigrants to the UK and was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court on April 20.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article