Australian government stands firm on people smuggling

The jailing of a people smuggler should come as a clear warning to those attempting to set up smuggling ventures into Australia, the Australian government warned on Thursday.

A 44-year old Iraqi man was sentenced at a Western Australian state court on April 15 to 10 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of seven years and six months for playing a role in organizing a people smuggling venture.

The venture involved carrying 50 illegal maritime arrivals into Australian in 2010.

The man was extradited from Germany in 2014 to face charges.

Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said the conviction highlights the success of Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB) and its commitment to take a hard line against people smugglers.

"This sentence highlights the seriousness of the illegal people smuggling trade and further reinforces our determination to pursue those involved," Dutton said.

"There are currently 18 people serving a sentence in Australian prisons for a people smuggling offence."

Dutton also confirmed on Thursday an asylum seeker boat on the way to Australia had been intercepted by the Sri Lankan Navy.

"The Sri Lankan Navy intercepted that boat, turned it around and took them back to shore," Dutton told Australian radio station 2GB.

"It just shows you that the people are still there...we're dealing with these on-water matters all the time." Endit