Caerphilly: Two men deny people smuggling charges

  • Published
Cardiff Crown Court
Image caption,

The pair, who appeared at Cardiff Crown court, are alleged to have helped traffic more than 500 illegal migrants

Two men have pleaded not guilty to people smuggling charges at Cardiff Crown Court.

Dishad Shamo and Ali Khdir from Caerphilly denied four counts of conspiring to breach immigration law with other unknown people between September 2022 and April 2023.

The pair allegedly helped to move more than 500 illegal migrants through Europe from Iraq, Iran and Syria via boats, HGVs and cars.

They will face a trial later this year.

Mr Shamo, 41, from Castell Morgraig, and Mr Khdir, 42, from Pontygwindy Road, were charged as part of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation.

Initially arrested in April 2023, they are said to have worked as part of a wider organised crime group in breach of EU immigration laws.