Unveiling the Scourge of Migrant Smuggling Across the Atlantic**

BBC Verify's investigation highlights the grim realities of migrant smuggling across the Atlantic, shedding light on the activities of trafficker Fadi Gujjar and the perilous journeys endured by those trapped in his schemes.**

In January, a harrowing story emerged from the Atlantic Ocean as a migrant boat was rescued after being lost at sea for 14 grueling days, claiming the lives of around 50 individuals. These migrants were deceived by traffickers who lured them with promises of safe passage to Europe. BBC Verify has tracked one of these traffickers, Fadi Gujjar, uncovering his operations across various continents.

The investigation began with a seemingly innocuous TikTok video featuring Gujjar enjoying time with friends at a restaurant in Mauritania, captured while he presented a façade of normalcy. However, just weeks after the video's release, two friends in his circle, Sufian Ali and Atif Shahzad, perished—victims of the deadly boat journey sold to them by Gujjar, who had promised a secure route into Europe.

Gujjar, who operates from Jaurah, Pakistan, is part of a complex web of smugglers known for their discretion. Unlike many of his counterparts who boast about their illegal services online, Gujjar has maintained a low profile, relying on word of mouth to attract clients. His presence has been traced to Istanbul, Turkey, where he connected with desperate migrants, and to Mauritania, the starting point for perilous crossings to Spain's Canary Islands.

As the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) notes, Mauritania has become a focal point for human smuggling as alternative routes were curtailed. Tragically, 170 individuals have lost their lives or gone missing on this route in 2023 alone. Many Pakistani migrants, eager for economic prospects in Europe, place their hopes in the hands of smugglers like Gujjar, often spending substantial family savings—averaging $13,000—to finance their treacherous journeys.

Without direct flights from Pakistan to Mauritania, many migrants traverse through Ethiopia or Middle Eastern countries, converging in Senegal before progressing to Mauritania, where they await their crossing. Through insights obtained by BBC Verify, it appears that Gujjar has followed this same dangerous trajectory, landing at Dakar airport and appearing on social media outlets in Mauritania.

Survivors from Gujjar's operations recounted experiences marked by deceit and inhuman conditions. Migrants were informed upon arrival in Mauritania that promised flights were no longer available, and were instead coerced onto overcrowded boats under duress. Once at sea, they faced extreme hardships, endured physical abuse from the crew, and suffered from gross negligence regarding their need for food and water.

As the boat journey descended into chaos, with survivors resorting to drinking seawater, the conditions became increasingly dire. Many succumbed to dehydration and starvation, while others were brutally beaten by the crew. An eventual rescue came too late for many, with reports indicating multiple fatalities and numerous others lost at sea.

Pakistani authorities have identified Gujjar as a primary suspect in this maritime tragedy, with ongoing investigations revealing that he allegedly collected substantial sums from migrants for these dangerous journeys. Despite being wanted, Gujjar's whereabouts remain elusive, with reports placing him last in Baku, Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, his family members have faced detention in Pakistan as authorities grapple with the fallout of his clandestine activities.

Gujjar’s case raises urgent questions about the broader issue of migrant smuggling and the networks facilitating these harrowing voyages. As investigations continue, the need to unravel the complexities of human trafficking and offer safer alternatives for aspiring migrants has never been more pressing.