Enfield man made fake passports for people smugglers in garden ‘forgery factory’

A man from Enfield has been caught with a ‘forgery factory’ hidden in his garden which he used to make fake passports for people smuggling gangs. Radouane Bouhafs, 43, was sentenced to nearly four years in prison at Wood Green Court last Thursday (August 15).

Bouhafs was arrested outside his home last June, after he was found with a ‘forgery factory’ hidden in his garden, filled with printers, computers, blank cards and embossed gold foil. He was also found with fake ID documents including Irish and French EU Passports.

Investigators had discovered that Bouhafs had received tens of thousands of pounds into bank accounts he controlled in the preceding 12 months, without declaring any legitimate income.

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They also found that he was making the documents to enable people living in the country to illegally access work, benefits, banking and other services.

“Radouane Bouhafs worked on behalf of organised crime groups, providing them with false documents that they would then pass on to the people they had brought into the UK illegally,” said National Crime Agency Senior Investigating Officer John Turner.

“They would then be used to make it appear like the holder was in the UK legitimately, allowing them to rent property, open bank accounts, register to claim benefits or get work.

“He was an enabler for wider criminality. His services would have been a key part of the offer advertised by smugglers and the price they charged to migrants.

"Tackling organised immigration crime is a priority for the NCA, that includes those like Bouhafs who assist or enable the gangs involved.”

Bouhafs was charged with seven counts of possessing false ID documents with intent, and one count of possessing items used to make false ID cards. He was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for his crimes.

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