Trafficking gang arrested and 55 builders safeguarded

Grant Prior 3 years ago
Share

Met Police and officers in Romania arrested 13 men on Tuesday morning in a series of raids as part of a major investigation into human trafficking.

Cash recovered during the raids
Cash recovered during the raids

Following the raids 54 men and one male juvenile have been safeguarded.

The investigation was launched by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command in August 2019 after intelligence highlighted a Romanian organised crime group (OCG) operating between Romania and the UK.

Romanian adult nationals have been recruited and trafficked to the Kingsbury area of north London to work on building sites as unskilled labourers.

Four warrants were executed in Harrow and Brent. Cash and a firearm were also seized.

The males were found housed in multi-occupancy addresses with mattresses covering the whole floor space. Occupants were found sleeping in extremely cramped conditions. They are now receiving support from specialist officers.

Eight men have been arrested in London for human trafficking. They have been taken to a north London police station.

A further five men were arrested in Romania where gold and around 250,000 Euros were seized from the OCG.

Those arrested are aged between 22 and 49 years old. They have been arrested for a variety of offences, including causing another to complete forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking contrary to the modern slavery act 2015.

Detective Constable Dec Wilson, from Central Specialist Crime, said: “These arrests in the UK and abroad are the result of working closely with our partners in Romania for the past 18 months, to identify those involved in the human trafficking and labour exploitation.

“This Eurojust Joint Investigation Team should serve as a warning to other organised crime networks that the Met is committed to working with international law enforcement to target those committing modern day slavery offences in London.

“We need the public’s help as they have an important role to play in recognising and reporting modern slavery. If you suspect someone may be a victim of modern slavery, report it. You will always be taken seriously, and protection and support is available.

“Often those affected do not see themselves as potential victims of labour exploitation and many will have been coerced into this life to make money for an organised crime network.

“We believe there are victims of modern slavery in every borough across London and the public may encounter them every day, possibly without realising.

“As well as being exploited for labour, victims have been found working in construction, domestic servitude, agriculture, cannabis factories and in places you use yourself, such as car washes, barbers and nail bars.”

Police said their enquiries are continuing.

Latest news

JRL close to deal on sale of stake to Far Eastern buyer

Equity sale plan to strengthen balance sheet and improve liquidity
2 days ago

ISG collapse brings down glazing contractor

All staff made redundant at Vitrine Systems Limited
2 days ago

Cost of HS2 bat shed hits £100m

Construction costs revealed for Sheephouse Wood Bat Mitigation Structure
2 days ago

Groundworks firm Corbyn files administration notice

Court notice lodged by £33m-turnover contractor
2 days ago

Vistry takes another £50m hit on build cost blunders

Second profit warning but problems contained in one division
2 days ago

Watkin Jones go-ahead for Leeds co-living project

Firm will convert former office block Headrow House into 230 homes.
2 days ago

United Utilities hunts for ground investigation specialists

£170m five-year framework deal out to tender
2 days ago

WSP names new chief for UK and Ireland

Paul Reilly promoted to UK president after just over two years at consultant
2 days ago

£125m cash injection for infrastructure at Barking Riverside

Home England funded works to boost 20,000-home development in east London
3 days ago

Subcontractors wanted across the North West

Register now to meet major buyers at Manchester event
2 days ago

Management buyout at joinery specialist TMJ Interiors

Founder James Taylor hands over reins to directors
3 days ago

Guinness Partnership starts race for £1bn housing deal

Housing association to renew preferred firms for 15-year housing retrofit programme
3 days ago

Rockwool plans new factory to ramp up output

Stone wool maker plans second factory in Midlands
4 days ago

McAleer & Rushe wins London City 670-room student job

Dominus confirms builder for 65 Holborn Viaduct
3 days ago

Electrician caught abusing covid loans

Middlesbrough spark subject to seven years of stringent bankruptcy restrictions
3 days ago

Wates hires Bouygues chief as MD for residential arm

Phillippa Prongue will replace Helen Bunch who retires
4 days ago

Civils powers on but house building falters

Buyers report "solid output growth" despite decline from record September
4 days ago

Multiplex tops October contracts league

£300m Glasgow Uni win tops big new orders
4 days ago

Key industry rebar supplier loses fight to stop factory closure

Kent rebar facility supplying 30% of UK rebar set to close
4 days ago

Vital Energi/Hemiko JV to build £1bn heat network for Westminster

Heat captured from the River Thames, Tube and sewers to warm Parliament
4 days ago

Plans in for Birmingham 300-bed student scheme

China Quarter stepped project will rise to 15 storeys
4 days ago

United Living looking to continue expansion

Record results as infrastructure and property spending flows
4 days ago

Paralysed builder stranded on floor for six hours after fall

Court hears how contractor failed to properly plan housing job
4 days ago

Network Rail scales back Liverpool Street station scheme

Architect changed and developer Sellar dropped as £1.5bn original plan scrapped
5 days ago

Muse JVs with pension fund insurer to build 3,000 homes

New Habiko business will build affordable low carbon, rental homes
5 days ago

£1.3bn revamp plan for South London shopping centre

Landsec plans 1,700 homes at Lewisham shopping complex site
5 days ago

Network Plus names new chief executive

Kevin Fowlie steps up to succeed founder Dan Holland
5 days ago

TanRo lands latest Clowes business park

Groundworks due to start in new year at 31-acre Harrier Park site
5 days ago

New consultant buys M&E specialist TACE

Contollo Group has ambitious growth plans over next five years
5 days ago

Skanska signs £197m deal for Mayfair offices job

South Molton job consists of two big office buildings
6 days ago

Contractor services