Human trafficking investigation in Tottenham and Wood Green

Four search warrants leading to six arrests were conducted simultaneously in areas including Tottenham and Wood Green, reports Olivia Opara

Man detained by Bulgarian authorities (credit Met Police)

Four search warrants in connection with human trafficking operation were conducted in areas including Tottenham and Wood Green this week.

Yesterday morning (26th April), four search warrants leading to six arrests to tackle human trafficking between Bulgaria and the UK were conducted simultaneously in Wood Green, Tottenham, Cheshunt in Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes in Bedfordshire. The investigation was led by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.

The search warrants were made in conjunction with Europol and Eurojust who, with the Met, have been working alongside Bulgarian authorities to break down an organised crime network believed to be responsible for trafficking women into the UK.

An additional six warrants and three arrests took place in Pleven and Dryanovo, Bulgaria, following the work with Bulgaria’s General Directorate Combating Organised Crime’s Trafficking in Human Beings Unit.

Detective Inspector Jim Madden from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime’s Modern Slavery Unit said: “Today we have significantly disrupted this organised criminal network (OCN). Members of this OCN are suspected of grooming and trafficking vulnerable Bulgarian women into the UK. These women were placed into brothels and forced into prostitution through fear of violence.

“Unfortunately, this type of exploitation is still happening across London and the UK. The Met’s Modern Slavery Unit works around the clock to identify people involved in human trafficking and forced labour, and we play a role in protecting and supporting hundreds of victims each year.”

A total of nine members of the OCN have been arrested for modern slavery, controlling prostitution, drugs supply and money laundering offences. The three men and six women remain in custody, with a woman at a Wood Green address currently receiving safeguarding support from specialist officers.

Assets including cash, high value vehicles and property in the region of £1million have been seized.

Highlighting the importance of spotting potential modern slavery and reporting concerns, DI Madden added that the “public plays an important role” in helping the Met crack down on modern day slavery and getting victims the support that they need.

DI Madden said: “Often those affected do not see themselves as potential victims of sexual exploitation and many will have been coerced into this life to make money for an organised crime network. Victims are often told the police and authorities in the UK are not to be trusted and with limited English are unable to seek help, even if they want to.”

“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 sexually exploited, 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.”

If you suspect that you, or someone you have come into contact with, may be a victim of modern slavery or trafficking and require support, please call The Salvation Army’s 24 hour confidential referral helpline on 0800 808 3733.

You can also report a suspicion or seek advice through the Modern Slavery Helpline confidentially on 08000 121 700. This is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can also report to the police online at www.met.police.uk or by calling 101, in case of an emergency dial 999. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

We know times are hard

If you are struggling to make ends meet, we are keeping Haringey Community Press free because of you. We know that many people cannot afford to pay for local news, so this website and our print paper will always be free. If you can afford to, and value what we do, a small monthly or one-off contribution can support us to keep providing quality journalism for Haringey to our community for free.

Monthly direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month.