Five suspects have been arrested as part of a National Crime Agency investigation into modern slavery, cannabis cultivation, and money laundering.
A man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s were arrested at a property in Romford, Essex, yesterday morning (Thursday 23rd).
They were detained on suspicion of the production of cannabis, holding a person in the slavery of servitude, and possession of Class A and B drugs.
Another man was arrested at the Romford address for immigration offenses and remains in custody.
Two men, one in his twenties the other in his thirties, were arrested at a property in central Birmingham on suspicion of production of Class B drugs, possession of Class B drugs and immigration offences.
And as part of the investigation, NCA officers also conducted searches at two properties in Burton on Trent.
Four suspects were released under investigation and one remains in custody pending immigration inquiries.ArrestedGeneric380x225
NCA operations manager Neil Gardner said: “This is a complex investigation focused on a crime group believed to be using forced labor to produce cannabis.
“We know organized crime gangs often exploit the vulnerable to further their profits, both in the production of illegal drugs and in their distribution..
“In some cases, we have seen victims threatened and suffering extreme violence as the criminals exert control. This is why tackling modern slavery is a high priority for the NCA.”
The NCA assesses that the vast majority of modern slavery is almost certain to be driven by organized crime in some form, although most of the groups involved are loosely networked and of low sophistication. Some larger organized crime groups are involved and the most sophisticated often engage in other forms of serious criminality, including drugs and firearms trafficking.
On Wednesday a couple who kept vulnerable people as slaves were jailed following an unrelated NCA investigation.
Marcos Tancos and Joanna Gomulska, both 46, and of Brentry Lane, Bristol, were the ringleaders of modern slavery and human trafficking operation in Bristol.
Tancos was sentenced to 16 years and Gomulska to nine after being convicted of keeping victims as slaves and making them work at a car wash.
Modern slavery is often hidden in plain sight. We need the public to recognize the signs and report their suspicions to the Modern Slavery Helpline or the police.
There could be victims of exploitation working in domestic servitude or forced labor on your street, in your local nail bar or car wash.