One of Europe’s most notorious human smugglers has been arrested in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, security officials said.

The regional government’s security agency said it had arrested Barzan Majeed, known as “the Scorpion”, in the area of Sulaymaniyah, upon a request from Interpol and “after the exchange of intelligence information”.

He was handed over to the regional justice department, it said.

The UK’s National Crime Agency announced Majeed’s arrest on its X account – formerly known as Twitter.

The crime agency had issued an appeal for assistance in tracking Majeed down in 2022, after he was convicted in absentia in Belgium of people smuggling crimes, following a joint UK-Belgian investigation.

The agency said he had attempted to smuggle 100 migrants to the UK in small boats and trucks.

The NCA has been informed of the arrest of Barzan Majeed – nicknamed ‘Scorpion’ – in the Kurdish region of Northern Iraq. https://t.co/DMY77IJhiB

— National Crime Agency (NCA) (@NCA_UK) May 13, 2024

The number of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats has soared in recent years as individuals fleeing war, the effects of climate change, and economic uncertainty have sought a better life in Britain.

They pay smugglers thousands of dollars for the crossing, hoping to reunite with family members or find work in a country where immigration enforcement is seen as weak and where migrant groups from all over the world can easily blend into society.

Last month, the UK parliament approved controversial legislation allowing the government to deport to Rwanda those who enter the country illegally.

Hours later, five people, including a seven-year-old girl, died while crossing the English Channel in an overloaded inflatable boat.

Many of the would-be migrants hail from Iraqi’s northern Kurdish region.

While the region is relatively more prosperous and stable than other parts of the country, increasing unemployment and corruption issues are driving many young Kurds to undertake the dangerous journey.

In November 2021, 16 Iraqi Kurds were among a group of 27 people who died while attempting to cross the Channel.