People smuggler jailed for Belgian lorry attempt
SWROCUA man has been jailed after admitting trying to help smuggle five Albanians into the UK in a lorry.
Ibrahim Sollaku, 33, of Wilton Avenue, Southampton, was arrested in Bournemouth on 5 November. At the same time, officers in Belgium arrested another suspect and stopped five Albanian men who were intending to travel.
He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, and possession with intent to supply class A drugs at Winchester Crown Court last month.
During a hearing at the same court on Friday, Sollaku was jailed for a total of 10 years.
Police previously described him as "clearly a well-connected criminal".
Sollaku was arrested following a joint operation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) and Belgian police.
SWROCU said more than 90 street deals of cocaine were seized from his home.
Prosecutors said he played "a leading role in this criminal conspiracy" to bring people from Albania illegally to the UK.
He was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison for the immigration offences, and two years and six months for the drugs offences, to run consecutively.
Det Ch Insp Adam Smith said: "Sollaku wasn't concerned with the risk or harm both of those offences cause – just in making money.
"Criminals like Sollaku look to make huge profits by facilitating illegal journeys. The high price tags they charge often help to strengthen their criminal networks, causing yet more harm to our communities."
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