The Iraqi national charged £1,500 per ‘chicken’ to smuggle migrants into UK (Image: -) An Iraqi national was involved in a ‘dangerous’ people smuggling ring that facilitated illegal immigrants’ entry into the UK via small boats. Ramal Briem referred to migrants as ‘chickens’ in messages exchanged with an accomplice, where they discussed the illicit Channel crossings. The 33 year old, hailing from Wolverhampton, conspired to smuggle migrants across Europe and then into Britain at a cost of £1,500 per individual. He is an ‘organised criminal, with others working for him, receiving significant financial renumeration’, Wolverhampton Crown Court was informed. Prosecutor Cathlyn Orchard stated: “He is an established people smuggler.”  The father has now been warned that he faces a substantial prison sentence and could face deportation. Briem confessed to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration on a basis, maintaining that he believed he was involved in the sale of cigarettes. His basis was not accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service, resulting in a trial of issue taking place on Monday, February 9. The Crown’s argument was …