Tracking the smuggler over the tragic Atlantic Migrant Travel

In January, a migration boat was rescued by the North African coast after 14, lost in the sea. About 50 people were killed in swimming, many of whom were smuggled with safe and legal ways to Europe. The BBC Verify tracked one of the responsible traders – documented its activities on three continents.

The rap -musician Panjabi plays over a video showing three men at a restaurant on the beach in the capital of Mauritania Nouakchott. One by one, they smile at the camera before you accidentally turn talking and laughing together.

Three are obviously friends. Two of them, Sufi Ali and Atifa Shakhda, are cousins ​​from Rural Pakistan.

But this is, in particular, the third person is dominated by the conversation. He is Fadi Gujar, the smuggler of the people.

Video – Posted on Tiktok Gujar’s account is one of the more than 450 clips, analyzed by the BBC, check that the clues are revealed about its activities and its close connection with others.

During the month of this video posted on the Internet, Ali and Shahzad were dead – beaten to death on the boat sold to them by Gujar, who promised a safe route to Europe.

Meanwhile, Gujar was on the go Required Federal Investigation Pakistan (FIA) for its role in the tragedy.

When the BBC checks that he had contacted him by the phone number received from those who survived, Gujar repeatedly said in a number of voice notes, his name was “abused” surviving in connection with the catastrophe, and that he leaves all this in the hands of Allah.

Fadi Gujar is originally from Yaura in the Pakistani region of Punjab. In the 30s, his real name – Havor Hassan – although he also goes on the Beach Gujar.

Pakistani smugglers BBC previously reported about They sought to show out the advertising of illegal routes to Europe on the Internet.

But Gujar is careful. Its presence on the Internet is limited to a very edited video of its travels, and almost all BBC Verify Ideptify customers are local for the Jew. Advertising for his services seems to be spreading out of mouth.

His current Facebook place is set to Istanbul, Turkey is an oasis for smugglers seeking a quick dollar. Video, posted in Tiktok, post it in the city since July 2022, showing a smuggler on the iconic Khagi Sofia and Pakistani supermarket.

Another place stands out: Mauritania on the Atlantic coast of West Africa – the nervous center of its work and place from which the migrant boat began its dangerous journey.

Since 2023, the International Migration Organization (moms) says Mauritania has become a center for smuggling people – subjected to other routes.

The route is deadly. Iom data show that 170 people – including 14 children – died or missing this year.

A lot of Pakistans seeking economic opportunities in Europe are ready to risk. Life there is glorified on the Internet by migrants already living on the continent. Komulators, such as Gujar, whose profitable business is fueled by people’s aspirations, use it.

These migrants have gambling games using their families or sell to travel. The survivors we talked to, on average, they said they paid Gujar $ 13,000 (10,000 pounds).

There are no direct flights from Pakistan to Mauritania, so some migrants are transferred through Ethiopia or the Middle East. From there, almost all of them went to Senegal before moving to Mauritania, or on the road or a short road along the Senegal River.

Gujar’s travel story – BBC received through the source – showed that the smuggler went on the same route, entering the Dakar airport twice in 2024.

Many videos have also posted it in the capital of Mauritania Nouakhot since October 2024 – although the download date may be different from when they were shot.

Further clips located in Tiktok Ali and Shahzad Place Gujjar in Mauritania back in August 2024. The trio is visible on the roofs of the sand buildings and the restaurants around the city – luxury other migrants could not afford.

The video from their accounts shows that men were close, originally from the same village. Their uncle Akhsan Shakhda Chadhri confirmed that the BBC became convinced that his nephew Sufi Ali was friends with Gujar.

One of the survivors, nicknamed St. Bhat, said that Gujar falsely promised him safe and legal ways to Europe. He sent the BBC Verife proof of funds transferred to a bank account under the real name of Gujar, Havor Hassan.

But when Uzair arrived in Mauritania, the smuggler retreated.

“He said he would be going through the air. I will send you on a big ship,” the resident reminded. “Please cooperate, your visa (in Europe) will not pass.”

After all, Uzair conceded.

Like Ali, Shahzad and Moir, the BBC checked two other migrants bought from Gujar.

After they arrived in Nouakhot, they say they were placed in “safe houses” – the term used for buildings hidden in incomprehensible alleys where migrants are contained illegally smuggled.

One person who used another agent said he was also left in the safe houses that Gujar manages.

The BBC Verify confirmed the location of one in the Nouakhot port area, which, according to survivors, say Gujar visited from time to time.

The survivors of the BBC Verify spoke to say that they went out of the Nouakhot in a small fishing boat in the first hours on January 2. Most of those on board bought a passage from smugglers in hometowns in Pakistan.

But a three -day trip turned into a deadly two -week journey into the sea.

St. Mostar said that since the day they left the port, the migrants “constantly bend out of the water from the boat.” Another man, Bilal Ikbal, reminded that the passengers soon began to “drink seawater, and after drinking it, people became delusional.”

According to survivors, the crew aboard – West Africans who work in smugglers – hungry with Pakistani migrants of food and water and beat them daily.

“I tried to take one of them bottles of water so that they hit the head with a rope, and the impact just made me go back,” BBC said. “Then they knocked me thumbs with a hammer. I still have these wounds.”

Sufi Ali and Atyph Shahzad died after the crew beat up to death, their uncle said. He was informed about the circumstances related to their death.

Others died of hunger, dehydration and hypothermia.

Those who are still alive, including the crew, refused until they saw a much larger fishing ship. Bhat’s Mutira jumped into the ocean and swam to him for help.

The Coast Guard instructed the vessel to deliver a migrant boat to the port – 60 miles. According to moms, 15 corpses were found on board, while 35 people were missing in the sea and believed to be dead.

Pakistani authorities called Gujar one of the ten smugglers involved in the tragedy. Some were arrested but not Gujar.

The BBC checks Geolocasted its latest Tiktok posts, Azerbaijan – though we can’t say for sure if it’s still there.

Ever since the news of rescue broke through, his mother and one of his brothers have been detained in Pakistan, accused of raising money on behalf of Gujar from people who buy routes to Europe.

The BBC Verify also noticed six police reports submitted to Punjab by the families of those on the boat. They claim that Gujar raised $ 75,000 (£ 56,000) for their role in the January catastrophe. Three people paid in full, and the other three paid only deposits, police reports.

We believe that Gujar still contributed to the journey to Europe after the boat disaster in January.

In March, he contacted the BBC Undercover reporter using a phone number received from those who survived, Gujar said that “knew someone”, which would help organize the journey, but directly suggested.

Additional reporting of the Jachin, Javid Sadi and Joshua Chatham.