An Albanian national has been sentenced to ten years in prison after admitting to orchestrating an attempt to smuggle five men into the United Kingdom hidden in a lorry, alongside possessing cocaine with the intent to supply it. Ibrahim Sollaku, aged 33 and residing on Priory Road in Southampton, entered guilty pleas to charges of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration into the UK and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
Court Proceedings and Arrest Details
The sentencing took place at Winchester Crown Court on a Friday in December 2025. Sollaku was initially arrested on November 5 of the previous year in Bournemouth by officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU). This arrest was part of a coordinated international effort, as on the same day, Belgian law enforcement conducted an operation that led to the arrest of a taxi driver and prevented five Albanian men from boarding a lorry bound for the UK from the port city of Bruges.
Smuggling Operation Uncovered
According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Sollaku had arranged for a taxi to transport the migrants to a Belgian port, where they were scheduled to be loaded onto a lorry for an illegal Channel crossing. Upon arrival in the UK, a cab was poised to meet them, highlighting the planned and systematic nature of the smuggling attempt. This operation underscores the sophisticated networks involved in international people-smuggling activities.
Drug Offences and Evidence Seized
During a subsequent search of Sollaku's address, law enforcement discovered significant quantities of cocaine. Specifically, they found 105 grams of the drug wrapped in cling-film, along with more than 90 street deals of cocaine that had been piped into plastic tubes, ready for distribution. Handwritten notes relating to drug supply were also seized, providing further evidence of his involvement in narcotics trafficking.
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
Sollaku received a sentence of seven years and six months for the smuggling offence, with an additional two years and six months for the intent to supply charge, to be served consecutively, totalling ten years imprisonment. Detective Chief Inspector Adam Smith from the SWROCU commented on the case, stating, 'Sollaku is clearly a well-connected criminal, shown by his involvement in both organised immigration crime and class A drug dealing. He wasn't concerned with the risk or harm both of those offences cause - just in making money.'
DCI Smith further emphasised the broader impact, noting, 'Criminals like Sollaku look to make huge profits by facilitating illegal journeys. The high price tags they charge often help to strengthen their criminal networks, causing yet more harm to our communities.'
Prosecution Perspective
Anja Hohmeyer from the CPS highlighted Sollaku's leading role in the conspiracy, saying, 'Ibrahim Sollaku played a leading role in this criminal conspiracy to bring people from Albania illegally to the UK. This has been a successful joint operation between the UK and Belgium to capture and disrupt international people-smuggling gangs.' She added a cautionary note, 'Sollaku could have chosen to get a job and make a life for himself and his young family, but he's thrown that all away. Those who get involved in immigration crime not only risk destroying their lives but also those of their family members.'
This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe legal consequences faced by individuals engaged in organised crime, particularly those involved in cross-border smuggling and drug distribution. The successful collaboration between UK and Belgian authorities demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in tackling such criminal enterprises.
