Two mini-marts in Leicestershire, England, linked to a convicted people smuggler, have been temporarily closed by the local council. The shops, both named Candy Corner, were shut for 72 hours under anti-social behaviour laws, with an application to extend the closure to three months to be heard in court on July 6.
Twana Jamal, who was described as "the godfather" of migrant camps in northern France, was reportedly seen working illegally at both stores. Reporters from the BBC witnessed him making deliveries, driving a vehicle without a license, and allegedly using a false name. Jamal was previously given a five-year prison sentence in France in 2016 for people smuggling activities, where authorities described him as one of the most successful smugglers ever apprehended, earning up to £100,000 weekly from transporting illegal immigrants across the English Channel.
At the time of Jamal's conviction, freight lorries were the preferred method for cross-channel smugglers, a contrast to the small boats often utilized in more recent years.
Jamal is believed to be seeking asylum in the UK and told BBC reporters that he had applied and was awaiting a decision. UK law generally requires individuals with a prison sentence of 12 months or more overseas to be refused asylum, though it is not known what name he used for any asylum application. Maze.