Friday, June 24, 2011
10:58 AM
AN address in Cambridge was raided by officials during one of the bigggest operations in the UK, targeting a crime gang suspected of trafficking sex workers.
Around 150 officers from the UK Border Agency and eight different police forces including Cambridgeshire Constabulary were involved in simultaneous raids on 13 different addresses around the South and East of England.
Nine people were arrested following the UK Border Agency-led operation, but no arrests were made in Cambridge.
Three men aged 52, 38 and 34 and a woman aged 35 were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to control prostitution for gain, trafficking and money laundering offences.
In addition four men and a woman, all believed to be Chinese nationals, were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the management of a brothel.
All nine are now being questioned by UK Border Agency investigators.
Five suspected sex workers discovered at the addresses are now being cared for and assessed at a specialist centre in the South East of England.
Three Chinese nationals were detained for immigration offences.
The operation was co-ordinated by the UK Border Agency’s Criminal and Financial Investigation team.
Assistant Director Sam Bullimore from the team, said: “This is one of the biggest operations ever undertaken by the UK Border Agency, targeting what we believe is a significant organised crime group responsible for the supply of sex workers around the South East.
“It is the result of an extensive and lengthy investigation involving the UK Border Agency and a number of police forces. That investigation continues with the evidence that we have seized today.”
Immigration Minister Damian Green said: “This summer we are targeting our efforts onbreaking up the organised gangs who trade in human beings and are behind visa scams.
“The message is clear - the UK is no longer a safe haven for immigration offenders and human traffickers.”
Anyone who has information about immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Cambridge address targeted during ‘biggest’ sex trafficking raid - News - Cambridge FirstSource: www.cambridgefirst.co.uk
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