A hairdresser from Bexleyheath is awaiting extradition to France over allegations she was involved in a criminal network that arranged Channel crossings, according to reports.

Neda Amini, 41, allegedly helped source people for dangerous crossings between January and August 2020, The Times reports, which were led by her French-based partner who was involved in a legal firm.

After sourcing migrants, she would allegedly collect payments from them upon their arrival in the UK.

 

She has been held on a European Arrest Warrant issued by France.

News Shopper: The number of people who have attempted to cross the Channel on Sunday has not yet been confirmed by the Home Office (PA)The number of people who have attempted to cross the Channel on Sunday has not yet been confirmed by the Home Office (PA)

The Express reports that the warrant said there were “several night passages every week since the beginning of 2020” using “small boats on which migrants are left alone from the French coasts, between the towns of Dunkerque and Calais, risking their lives to reach the United Kingdom.”

It further alleged that her partner was “the main protagonist of the network” and that the migrants were of various nationalities.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that the network is being jointly investigated by police in the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands, The Express reports.

A judge ordered her extradition to allow her to be prosecuted for the offences in France, which carry a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment.

Amini has denied being involved in the network and argued extradition was against her human rights due to her health issues and need to care for her son.

The charges come after nearly 600 migrants were intercepted attempting to cross the English Channel yesterday.

A total of 378 migrants were detained by the UK authorities in 12 incidents on Sunday with 178 others being stopped from reaching the UK by the French in five further incidents, according to the Home Office.

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