View 2 Images

A suspected 'high-ranking member' of a Syrian people smuggling gang has been arrested in Manchester, police said.

The National Crime Agency (NCA), which made the arrest, said the gang was 'operating crossings across the Mediterranean'.

Ayman Al Taleb, 41, was detained in the Rusholme area of the city on November 13 by specialist officers from the agency's National Extradition Unit, a statement issued on Tuesday revealed.

The NCA said he was wanted in Germany on 17 separate charges and suspected of orchestrating crossings from Libya into Europe then arranging false documentation for 'illegal arrivals' between August 2022 and July 2024.

Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp group HERE

The statement said migrants would be charged thousands of dollars per crossing.

Al Taleb

See Full Page