Six Charged with Trafficking Offences

Six people have now been charged with human trafficking offences as a result of a multi-agency operation on Monday involving the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

The three men and three women were set to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court this morning and are each charged with human trafficking into the UK and human trafficking within the UK.

Igor Marcin (35), Dagmar Marcinova (37), Marik Marcin (40), Gabriela Marcinova (41), Patricia Marcinova (22) and Valentin Balog (21) were charged last night.

Seven arrests were made in Derby on Monday when Derbyshire Police assisted by officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency’s UK Human Trafficking Centre and the Gangmasters Licensing Authority executed several warrants in the city.

A 41-year-old woman, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit human trafficking and money laundering, has been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Officers also discovered 11 potential victims of human trafficking at the houses in Sunnyhill Avenue and Cameron Road.

The 11 men were taken to a special reception centre, set up by Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross.

Police believe that some of the men’s details may have been used to claim benefits fraudulently and that some of the victims may have been sent to work at different locations in the city.

The roles they carried out included flower packing and meat processing. Supplying workers to perform both types of work requires a GLA licence.

Detectives are continuing to work with the Department for Work and Pensions and the GLA as part of the ongoing investigation.

ENDS

Press release issued by GLA Communications and Information Officer Paul Fearn. Contact 0115 959 7069 or email communications@gla.gsi.gov.uk.

Notes to Editors

1. The GLA operates throughout the UK and is a Non Departmental Public Body.

2. The authority was formed in 2005 in the wake of the Morecambe Bay cockle picking disaster when 23 Chinese workers drowned on the sands.

3. The GLA licences companies that supply labour (gangmasters) to agriculture, horticulture, food processing and packaging, forestry and shellfish gathering.

4. Its main strategic priorities are to prevent worker exploitation, protect vulnerable people and tackle unlicensed and criminal activity.

5. Under the Gangmasters Licensing Act (2004) it is illegal both to operate as, or employ the services of, an unlicensed gangmaster.

6. Nearly 1,200 labour providers are licensed by the GLA.

www.gla.defra.gov.uk