An Afghan trafficking gang member smuggled boys into Britain on small boats before they were raped then blackmailed with footage of their ordeals. Zeeshan Banghis, 21, along with Saifur Rahman Ahmedzai, 24, helped migrants travel from Afghanistan to western Europe via Iran, Turkey and the Balkans.

Most of the migrants ended up in Belgium and France, with many arriving on UK shores after being put on small boats in northern France. The National Crime Agency (NCA) said authorities suspect the gang transported thousands of people into Europe.

Andy Kelly, Head of the NCA's National Extradition Unit, said: "This gang operated across the globe and piled misery on migrants they transported, all for the sake of making a profit.

"Many of these people would have been extremely vulnerable, which makes it all the more shocking that disgraceful sexual offences were committed against some of them."

The serious sexual offences committed against the boys include rape, according to the NCA. Video footage was then used to blackmail the victims into submitting to even more of the vile abuse and into committing crimes.

Banghis and Ahmedzai were arrested by NCA officers in London and Hemel Hempstead respectively in December 2024 after the pair were sentenced in their absence by a judge in Belgium.

A court in Antwerp had convicted and sentenced the pair along with 21 other members of the gang to a total of 170 years in jail. The sentences ranged from two to 18 years.

In total, 11 of the gang members had been tried in their absence, including Banghis and Ahmedzai. They were sentenced to three years and 10 years respectively. Each was also fined £2,601 (3,000 euros).

Ahmedzai was extradited to Belgium in June 2025 while Banghis was kicked out of the UK on Thursday (January 15) after a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The pair will serve the remainder of their sentences in a Belgian jail.

The NCA said its officers have worked with Border Force and Immigration Enforcement to identify the migrants and victims of the network to carry out safeguarding checks.

Mr Kelly said: "Our joint investigation with Belgian law enforcement is another example of international action succeeding against a global threat.

"These extraditions display a very strong message that work to disrupt and dismantle the gangs behind this horrendous trade will never slow down."