'Slavery' group smashed (From This Is Lancashire)

'Slavery' group smashed

3:56pm Thursday 31st May 2007

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Police in Lancashire are celebrating after smashing a major people trafficking ring near Preston.

Last week, seven people from the Czech Republic were sentenced for a total of more than 20 years in jail following the police operation which started when a woman from the Czech Republic told police she had been raped at a restaurant in Samlesbury in February last year.

All seven, who lived in the Manchester or Leeds area, were found guilty of a variety of people trafficking and controlling prostitution charges.

After sentencing at Preston Crown Court, Detective Inspector Chris Wilde, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: "Trafficking and sexual exploitation is not acceptable and through this investigation we arrested a number of the gangs who are behind this modern day slavery.

"We smashed an organised crime ring that was operating across international boundaries. In doing so, we stopped a lot of nasty people who would otherwise still be trafficking."

Operation Willow was launched when the woman, who was working at the former Indian Cottage Restaurant in Samlesbury, told officers she had been brought over from the Czech Republic to work as a prostitute.

Four men from Manchester and London, who were connected with the restaurant, were acquitted of sex offences.

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