Three charged in connection with human trafficking

Officers carried out searches at five different city properties

THREE people have been arrested and charged in connection with human trafficking in Glasgow. Police raided addresses in the city as part of an intelligence- led operation at around 6.40am on Friday, August 28.

A number of properties in the city’s South Side were targeted, as well as one in London.

Police Scotland worked with London’s Metropolitan Police on the investigation.

Two men, Madirius Ursu, 18, and Mihai Radu, 26, and a woman, Eleonara Adelina Ghita, 26, have been arrested and charged.

Officers carried out searches at five different properties in Glasgow.

One property in also searched, in supported by the

Police.

All three were charged with human trafficking, trading in prostitution and brothel- keeping, and serious organised crime.

No plea was made and Radu and Ghita were remanded in custody. Ursu was released on bail.

Detective Inspector Mark McLennan, of Glasgow Public Protection Unit, said: “On Friday, officers from Glasgow’s Human Trafficking Unit carried out an operation to search five addresses in the South Side of Glasgow and one address in London, which has been supported by the Metropolitan Police.

“There has been a substantial period of planning for this operation alongside our partner agencies at the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Crime and Financial Investigation Scotland and as a result, two men aged 18 and 26 and a woman aged 26 have been arrested on

London was an operation Metropolitan suspicion of human trafficking.

“This would not be possible without the continued support of those within the community and I would encourage that if anyone has any information or concerns surrounding human trafficking that they get in contact with police. Our message is clear, we will use every policing tactic and resource available to us to target those who attempt to exploit vulnerable individuals.”

Detective Superintendent Fil Capaldi, head of Police Scotland’s human trafficking unit, added:

“Modern slavery and human trafficking have no place in our communities.

“As Friday’s action demonstrates we will target criminals who abuse, control and exploit people.

“We will continue to work with partners, nationally and internationally, to bring offenders to justice, and to raise public awareness to help identify victims and ensure they get the support they need and to end this despicable trade in human beings.

We will use every policing tactic and resource available to us