AN ILLEGAL immigrant smuggler was sentenced to six years in prison today in one of the UK’s biggest human trafficking busts.

Kazim Karakus, 46, of Sansom Road, Leytonstone was sentenced to six years imprisonment after pleading guilty to facilitating illegal immigration.

He was part of a Turkish gang linked to a Chinese gang which together charged £21,000 to Chinese nationals to bring them into the UK.

They travelled crammed together in lorries, boats and trains across China, Asia and Europe in a nightmare journey which could last up to 18 months.

Once they arrived they would disappear into established communities in the capital to avoid detection.

Illegal workers were found in addresses across London, including one in Leytonstone, after dawn raids by police.

In Peckham 23 Chinese illegal immigrants were found packed into one property.

Operation Greensea started in 2006 and was one of the biggest operations the Met has ever seen.

Detectives worked with European police forces, and Government departments such as the Border and Immigration Agency and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).

Karakus was one of 16 people who pleaded or were found guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration into the UK.

They were sentenced to a total of 38 years today.