Suspected people smuggler detained in Leicester faces extradition

A suspected people smuggler wanted by German law enforcement has been arrested by officers from the National Crime Agency in Leicestershire.

Syrian national Mohamad Alshater, 30, had been listed as wanted for his alleged involvement in a network responsible for moving a large number of migrants into Germany in vehicles across the border from the Czech Republic.

Following joint working involving UK and German authorities a warrant was issued for his arrest, and investigations began to locate him.

He was tracked down as living in the Frog Island area of Leicester city centre by officers from the National Extradition Unit, which is part of the NCA’s Joint International Crime Centre, who moved in to detain him on the morning of Monday 2 December.

On 3 December Alshater was remanded in custody by Westminster Magistrates’ as the process to extradite him begins. He will appear in court again on 10 December.

Tony Allen, from the NCA’s Joint International Crime Centre, said:

“People smuggling is an international crime and we are working closely with our counterparts in Germany and across Europe to target the individuals and networks involved.

“These crime groups treat people as a commodity and don’t care about the risks, which is why tackling them is such a priority.”