Man accused of arranging dangerous boat crossings from Libya to Italy from UK appears in court

A MAN has appeared in court charged with people smuggling offences as part of an international investigation into an organised crime network moving migrants across the Mediterranean from North Africa into Europe.

Egyptian national Ahmed Ramadan Mohamad Eibd, 40, of Church Road in Isleworth, was arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in Hounslow on Wednesday June 21 2023, following an operation which also involved Italian prosecutors, coastguard and Guardia di Finanza.

Eibd is accused of organising a number of illegal boat crossings from Libya to Italy – each involving hundreds of migrants - from his home in the UK.

This morning<sat> he appeared before Uxbridge Magistrates' Court where he was charged with facilitating illegal immigration and remanded in custody until his next appearance at Southwark Crown Court on July 24, 2023.