A convicted people smuggler, once dubbed the "godfather" of French migrant camps, has been tracked down by the BBC living and working in the UK, reportedly under a false name and possibly seeking asylum.

Twana Jamal received a five-year prison sentence in France in 2016 for his role in people smuggling operations. The BBC investigation, initiated by a tip-off earlier this year, located Jamal in Blaby, Leicestershire.

During their surveillance, the BBC witnessed Jamal working illegally, driving a vehicle without a valid license, and appearing to use an assumed identity. This discovery has amplified concerns regarding the effectiveness of current border control measures.

Authorities in mainland Europe have informed the BBC that an additional fifteen convicted people smugglers are believed to be residing in the UK, also under assumed names. This revelation has prompted serious questions about the UK's ability to screen asylum seekers for prior criminal convictions from overseas.

The Home Office has stated that all asylum claimants undergo mandatory security checks to verify their identity, which are crucial for immigration, security, and criminality assessments. They also highlighted existing agreements with various countries for the sharing of criminal record information, asserting that immigration enforcement is currently at its highest level historically.

The BBC's findings suggest that individuals with significant criminal histories in people smuggling may be evading detection upon arrival in the UK. The investigation underscores a potential gap in the system that allows such individuals to integrate into communities and potentially continue illegal activities.

This situation raises broader implications for national security and the integrity of the asylum system. Experts are calling for a review of existing protocols to ensure that individuals who have facilitated illegal and dangerous crossings are identified and prevented from entering or remaining in the country.

Further details of the investigation, including interviews with law enforcement officials and insights into Jamal's alleged activities, are available in a BBC Sounds report titled "To Catch a King."