Eleven people were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, theft, fraud and money laundering on Wednesday, December 15, including a 29 year old man, 30 year old man, 29 year old woman and 31 year old woman from Canterbury. The other suspects came from Thanet and Surrey.
Nineteen victims, including Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish and Russian speakers, were taken to a reception centre in Canterbury where translators were able to offer support and advice from a range of agencies including healthcare and social services.
Cash, passports and identity papers were among documents seized.
The Gangmaster Licensing Authority, which identifies and confronts worker exportation in the agricultural industry, was involved in the bust.
Director of strategy Darryl Dixon said: "It is an offence to supply labour without a licence. Unlicensed labour providers are investigated to identify if they are exploiting workers. Often overseas workers may not even know they are being exploited."
The raids, which targeted 12 premises across East Kent, were the result of a two year investigation by the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate.
Detective Chief Inspector Andrea Bishop from the serious organised crime team, said: "This is the culmination of a detailed and complex two year investigation by officers from our serious economic crime unit into an organised criminal network operating in Kent who are involved in a number of criminal enterprises including human trafficking, fraud and money laundering.
"These criminals prey on and exploit migrant workers, effectively running a modern day slavery operation."
The suspects have now been released from custody, pending further investigation.
Canterbury district Chief Inspector Steve Barlow said: "The work does not end here. As well as the criminal cases to pursue, there are a number of people, believed to have been the victims of exploitation, who will require help and support from here on in.
"It is disconcerting when criminal activity of this nature is revealed in the community. However, I want to assure the people of East Kent that we are in a position where it is very difficult for criminals to operate in this manner without coming to our attention and we will continue to deal with them in the strongest possible terms."
POSTED: 16/12/2010 11:00:00
Source: yourthanet.co.uk
Your Thanet :: Article :: Dawn raids uncover 'modern day slave trade'
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