A dreadful incident occurred this year in January when a immigrant boat was saved off the coast of North Africa after being lost in the water for about 14 days. About 50 people lost their lives in this gruesome trip. The smugglers made up their minds and promised to take them on a safe and legal trip to Europe, which caused all the passengers to travel for a long time.
BBC has narrowed down the analysis and tracked one of the smugglers concerned, documenting his actions across three continents, to reveal the truth about the smugglers.
Fadi Gujjar- criminal of persons
Fadi Gujjar, who was born in Jaurah in Pakistan’s Punjab area, has been located by the BBC. Gujjar maintains a discrete appearance, sharing just written travel footage, in contrast to other Muslim traffickers who openly advertise improper routes online. His clientele generally consists of Jaurah locals.
After Gujjar, who is currently evading Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency ( FIA ), responded to them via voice messages, claiming survivors had “misused” his name regarding the incident, leaving the matter to God, he received his information.
His Twitter account mentions Istanbul, a well-known haven for traffickers, as his place of residence. TikTok posts show him at distinctive locations and report his existence there since July 2022. His functional foundation is located in Mauritius, from where the sadly lost vessel departed.
According to the international organization for migration, 170 people, including 14 children, were lost along this road in 2023 as a result of Mauritania’s development as a smuggling center.
Despite the risks, the trip to Europe pertains to some Pakistanis who are looking for better opportunities. Survivors report paying Gujjar approximately$ 13, 000 ( £10, 000 ). In order to reach Senegal, migrants usually travel through Ethiopia or the Middle Eastern nations before crossing into Mauritania.
Gujjar visited Dakar Airport half in 2024, according to travel documents. He is in Nouakchott from October 2024, according to TikTok material, with earlier images from August 2024 revealing him socializing with Ali and Shahzad.
Breaking vows
According to one victim, Uzair Bhat claimed that Gujjar gave false claims about safe and legal entry to Europe. He gave BBC Verify access to documentation of money being transferred to an accounts owned by Khawar Hassan, Gujjar’s real name.
The criminal changed his position when he arrived in Mauritania.
” He said flying by weather did not operate from here. I’ll take you by a great ship, Uzair said. ” Choose cooperate, your visa to Europe didn’t pass.”
Uzair inevitably accepted these conditions.
In addition to Ali, Shahzad, and Uzair, BBC Verify discovered three further immigrant travelers who purchased flights from Gujjar.
They report being residing in” safe houses”- secret structures in distant alleyways where smugglers improperly house migrants upon introduction in Nouakchott.
Another person who relied on various trafficking agencies confirmed staying in Gujjar’s healthy homes.
One such place close to Nouakchott port, which survivors claim Gujjar often visited, was confirmed by BBC Verify.
The voyage by sea
Individuals who were interviewed by BBC Verify departed Nouakchott in a fish boat on January 2 at around 8:00 AM. The majority of travelers had routed their goods through pirates in Pakistan.
The planned three-day journey turned into a dangerous two-week suffering at sea.
Uzair reported that the ocean had been continuously gushed after leaving. Bilalwal Iqbal described how reluctance to consume water caused insanity for people.
The East African squad, which were employed by pirates, withheld food and water and carried out daily beatings, claim individuals.
I tried to take one of their jugs of water, but they hit me on the mind with a cord, and the effects only made me fall back, Iqbal told BBC Verify. Then they hammer-punched my fingers with a nail. I still have those scars.
Their brother confirmed that Sufian Ali and Atif Shahzad died from team whippings, as survivors had reported.
Some sat in cold, water, and food deserts.
The last victims, including the staff, had given up until discovering a bigger fish vessel. Uzair Singh aimed his aid at it.
The ship was directed to Dakhla interface, which is located 60 miles away. 35 people are missing and presumed dead, according to IOM reports crew.
legitimate trials
Gujjar was one of ten pirates identified by Pakistani government among those involved. Gujjar was the only person who made one arrest.
Although his current location is unknown, BBC Verify credited his latest TikTok action to Baku, Azerbaijan.
Authorities in Pakistan detained his mother and brother after finding them, allegedly stealing money for Western routes on his behest, following save information.
Six Peshawar police reports were accessed by the people of boat passengers, according to BBC Verify. They claim Gujjar received$ 75, 000 ( £56, 000 ) for the January incident. Three were fully paid, and three were only partially paid, according to reports.
After the January affair, Gujjar continued to organize European travel.
Gujjar indicated knowing someone who could handle go without offering immediate involvement in an undercover News reporter who used survivors ‘ contact details in March.
