Mini-marts linked to convicted people smuggler closed after BBC investigation

Two Leicestershire minimarkets linked to a convicted people smuggler exposed in a BBC investigation have been closed by the local council.

Twana Jamal, once described as the “godfather” of migrant camps in northern France, recently encountered our news team while running one of the shops in Blaby, on the outskirts of Leicester.

Reporters had witnessed him working illegally at both stores, making deliveries, driving a BMW without a license, and apparently using a fake name.

The stores, both called Candy Corner, were closed for 72 hours by Blaby District local council under anti-social behavior laws. The three-month closure application will be lodged at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 6.

Jamal is believed to have sought asylum in the UK. He told us he had applied and was “still waiting.” It is unknown what name he used in any practice.

UK law says anyone imprisoned abroad for 12 months or more must be refused asylum.

The Iraqi Kurd was sentenced to five years in prison in France in 2016, and authorities described him as one of the most successful people smugglers ever caught; He was earning up to £100,000 a week transporting illegal immigrants across the Channel.

At the time, the preferred mode of travel for cross-Channel smugglers was freight trucks rather than small boats.