Selfies shared online exposed an Iranian smuggling ring that used Ryanair and EasyJet flights to illegally transport migrants into the UK. 

The Swansea-based group booked 35 flights with false identities between August 2018 and January 2020. Their operation unraveled when migrants posted selfies of their trips, which Home Office investigators linked to fraudulent bookings.

On Thursday, the group received a combined sentence of 18 years and 5 months. Ringleader Kaveh Nazari was sentenced to five years and seven months, while accomplice Seyed Hangeroudi received three years and seven months. 

Two others, Mohammed Ahmadi Khatir and Smerdis Hakhamanesh, received suspended sentences of 22 months each after a six-week trial.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said the sentenceing “makes clear that anyone who exploits our border for profit can expect to face justice.”

“We’re doing everything we can to boost our border security ... and stay ahead of the people smuggling gangs attempting to undermine the safety and security of the UK. I’m grateful to the officers whose hard work put these criminals behind bars,” she said.

Home Office said a four-year probe into the group’s activities uncovered a wealth of evidence, including digital images of false documents and boastful selfies taken by Iranian migrants being smuggled into the UK.

Tony Hilton, Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigations Assistant Director, said: “Our officers have worked tirelessly for four years to bring this crime group to justice, and it’s thanks to their hard work that more people smugglers are now in prison.

“We will continue to crack down on all forms of people smuggling, including those who exploit others for profit and put the safety of the UK public at risk.”

A spokesperson for Easyjet said: “Safety and security is our highest priority and we work closely with the border force and law enforcement agencies to do what we can as an airline to assist in preventing unlawful activity.”

Minister for border security and asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: “This sentencing makes clear that anyone who exploits our border for profit can expect to face justice.”

They will now be considered for removal from the UK, government officials said.