A man from Manchester found guilty of facilitating people smuggling is a wanted fugitive, police have revealed.
Hemin Ali Salih, 37, was part of an organised crime group smuggling migrants into the UK in the back of a HGV through Portsmouth port, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has revealed. Five of the gang's members, including him, have now been convicted in court.
The NCA said Salih, of Bryson Walk in Gorton, absconded before the start of a trial, but was convicted in his absence on Tuesday of facilitating illegal immigration. Police confirmed a warrant has been issued for his arrest and he is due to be sentenced with others next month.
