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Two men have been charged as part of a National Crime Agency investigation into illegal people smuggling.

Dilshad Shamo, 41, from Castell Morgraig, Caerphilly, and Ali Khdir, 42, from Pontygwindy Road, Caerphilly, have been charged with assisting unlawful immigration.

They appeared at Newport Magistrates Court where they were remanded in custody to appear before Newport Crown Court on March 18.

According to the National Crime Agency, they are alleged to have operated a people smuggling organisation from the UK which illegally moved 500 migrants through Europe.

They are accused of trafficking migrants via boats, HGVs and cars from Iraq, Iran and Syria through the EU to Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Germany and France.

The NCA said the final destination for many of these migrants was the UK.

Both Shamo and Khdir are alleged to have worked as part of a wider organised crime group.

The men were initially arrested in April 2023 at a hand car wash on Pontygwindy Road and charged after answering bail on Sunday February 18.

NCA Branch Commander Derek Evans said: “This investigation involves two UK residents suspected of organising the logistics of moving illegal migrants through Europe.

“The arrest and charge of these individuals is a major disruption to a suspected international organised crime group alleged to have moved hundreds, if not thousands, of migrants illegally across borders. 

“The NCA is tackling organised immigration crime as a priority and we will continue our work with partners to disrupt the networks involved at every part of the route.”