A man described as the "godfather" of French migrant camps, who was convicted in France for people smuggling, is now living in the UK and reportedly seeking asylum. Twana Jamal, who received a five-year prison sentence in France in 2016, was identified by a BBC investigation operating in Leicestershire.

Jamal, an Iraqi Kurd, was considered one of the most successful people smugglers apprehended by French authorities. Prosecutors at the time stated he was earning up to £100,000 weekly by facilitating illegal crossings into the UK. His conviction and sentence were intended to lead to deportation to Iraqi Kurdistan, but he has since entered the United Kingdom.

The BBC investigation, prompted by a tip-off, located Jamal in the village of Blaby. He was observed working and driving a vehicle without a license, reportedly using a false name. When confronted by the BBC, Jamal stated he had applied for asylum and was awaiting a decision.

Jamal's presence in the UK raises significant questions about the effectiveness of current border controls in vetting asylum seekers with serious criminal histories abroad. Immigration officials have indicated that since the UK's departure from the European Union, verifying criminal records from certain countries has become more challenging.

The BBC investigation that exposed Jamal is part of a broader inquiry into people smuggling networks operating between France and the UK. This investigation previously led to the arrest of another major smuggler, Kardo Jaf, and is detailed in the BBC Radio 4 podcast "To Catch A King." The podcast's eighth episode focuses on the hunt for Jamal.

Jamal was associated with the "Ranya Boys," a Kurdish gang identified by European law enforcement agencies as a dominant force in cross-channel people smuggling over the last 15 years. During his trial in France, prosecutors detailed his operations from the Grand Synthe camp near Dunkirk between 2012 and 2016. He charged clients between £4,500 and £5,000 for passage to the UK, primarily using freight lorries at that time. His nickname in the camps was "Pasha," a Turkish term signifying high rank.

Despite his conviction and prison time in France, Jamal managed to enter the UK. UK law stipulates that individuals with prison sentences of 12 months or more abroad should face mandatory refusal of asylum. However, it is possible that Jamal's criminal record was not fully checked during his asylum application process.

The BBC investigation has identified over 20 individuals involved in smuggling who have reached the UK. Some of these individuals possess overseas convictions, while others are allegedly using false identities to claim asylum. The case highlights ongoing concerns about transnational crime and border security.