A BRADFORD businessman was joking when he told undercover police officers he would pay cash to smuggle people into the UK, a jury was told.

Ali Mahmood Ahmed, who runs the Pit Stop Car Wash on Valley Road, offered to fork out £7,000 to bring his brother into Britain from Turkey and £1,500 to fetch a girl from Belgium to Bradford, it is alleged.

Ahmed, 38, of Wharncliffe Road, Shipley, denies intentionally encouraging or assisting the facilitating of a breach of immigration law, namely arranging a clandestine entry to the UK, between August 19, 2014, and March, 18.

Prosecutor Ian Howard told Bradford Crown Court yesterday that Ahmed was secretly recorded talking to undercover officers, 'Ian' and 'Dan' about hiding non EU citizens in the cab spoilers of lorries to get them past the border guards.

Mr Howard said Ahmed was put under covert surveillance after local lorry driver, James Dargie, reported him to the police.

The jury was told that Mr Dargie pulled up at the car wash on March 20 last year to have his wagon cleaned before a trip to Germany.

He alleges Ahmed pointed to the cab spoiler and said he could get two illegal immigrants in there at a cost of £2,500 each.

On August 20 last year, undercover officer 'Ian' turned up at the car wash in a 7.5 tonne lorry.

Ahmed is said to have offered to pay £7,000 to get his brother smuggled into the UK from Istanbul.

The officer sold Ahmed diesel and later introduced him to his colleague 'Dan'.

The court was told that discussions were held between the officers and Ahmed about smuggling his brother and sister into the UK for £8,000 and bringing in the girl from Belgium.

It is alleged that Ahmed suggested that 'Ian' stop on the Turkish border at a coffee shop to allow his siblings to sneak into the lorry.

On March 17 this year, police and immigration officials went to the car wash and seized items, Mr Howard said.

Ahmed, who is on crutches with a bad foot, told the police "the whole thing was a joke."

He said he was born in Iraq and his wife and four children were still there.

His brother and sister were quite happy in Turkey and did not want to come to the UK.

"So, was it a joke or not?" Mr Howard asked the jury.

The trial continues.