Eight face trafficking charges following Devon operation

Eight people have been charged following a major police investigation into human trafficking and modern slavery in Plymouth and Cornwall.

The five women and three men are charged with conspiracy to traffic persons into the UK for the purpose of labour exploitation.

They will appear before Plymouth Magistrates’ Court this morning (19 September).

Those charged are:

• Lenka Cmejlova, 32, of Union Street, Plymouth.

• Jiri Sebelik, 37, of Union Street, Plymouth.

• Martin Tancos, 35, of Saltash Road, Plymouth.

• Katerina Kuriova, 35, of Saltash Road, Keyham, Plymouth.

• Nela Dzurkova, 26, of Ford Park Road, Plymouth.

• Petr Tancos, 35, of Ford Park Road, Plymouth

• Sandra Tancosova, 25, of Flora Court, Plymouth

• Ruzena Tancosova, 34, of Union Street, Plymouth

The eight people were arrested on Tuesday (16 September) by police in a joint operation with Plymouth City Council, the National Crime Agency, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, The Salvation Army, The British Red Cross and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Eight suspected victims of human trafficking were recovered by police and partner agencies and remain in the care of Plymouth City Council, The Salvation Army and the British Red Cross.

ENDS

Press release originally issued by Devon and Cornwall Police. For more information from the GLA contact 0115 959 7069 or email communications@gla.gsi.gov.uk.

Notes to editors

1. The reception centre was closed yesterday (18 Sept).

2. Two victims are being cared for by the Salvation Army.

3. The other six will be integrated back into society with the assistance of Plymouth City Council.

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

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

6. The GLA licences companies that supply labour (gangmasters) for agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering as well as all associated processing and packaging.

7. Its main strategic priorities are to prevent worker exploitation, protect vulnerable people and tackle unlicensed and criminal activity. 8. Under the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act (2004), it is illegal both to operate as, or employ the services of, an unlicensed gangmaster.

www.gla.gov.uk