Four face charges of people trafficking
Raids target Latvian community
Four men have been charged following an operation to tackle human trafficking in West Lothian.
Operation Heath yard, led by CID officers, saw a number of warrants executed on Friday.
The series of raids were supported by West Lothian Council, the National Crime Agency and Greater Manchester Police and the men were detained at addresses in Livingston, Bathgate and Salford, targeting Latvian communities.
Six further addresses were searched in Livingston, Bathgate and Blackburn and a reception centre was set up to support potential victims of human trafficking.
The men have since been arrested and charged with human trafficking offences, involvement in serious and organised crime and a sexual offence.
Maris Kursis (28) from Hamilton appeared on petition at Livingston Sheriff Court on Monday, charged with two offences under the Asylum and Immigration ( Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004.
He is also charged with arranging travel for ‘passengers’ within the UK with the intent of exploiting them.
He made no plea or declaration and was committed for further examination.
Kursis, a supervisor in a
supermarket distribution warehouse in West Lothian, was released on bail.
On Tuesday three other Latvians appeared at the same court on identical charges and were also committed for further examination.
They were Arvids Civkors (28) from Edinburgh, Aivars Dzagarjans ( 36) from Forth, South Lanarkshire, and Hardijs Langsteins ( 35) from Salford, Greater Manchester.
They made no plea or declaration and were all released on bail.
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Healy said 20 people had been interviewed as part of the operation.
He continued: “Inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding their travel to and from Scotland.
“In the meantime they are being offered support and assistance in terms of health and welfare, housing and victim support.
“This operation is the result of a complex and lengthy investigation into serious and organised crime involving foreign nationals centred on West Lothian.
“A large number of officers and colleagues from partner agencies have been involved in both the planning and delivery of the action taken and I would like to thank them for their work so far.”
He continued: “Serious and organised crime can have a significant impact on communities and is a top priority for Police Scotland.
“Those involved in such groups use violence and intimidation to target vulnerable people and we are constantly working to gather information about their activities and disrupt them, putting those responsible before the courts and removing their assets.
“Human trafficking is one method that these groups use to run their criminal endeavours and it is important for us to ensure that when we dismantle these networks we work with our partners to protect and safeguard anyone who has been exploited or abused.”
Chief Inspector Barry Blair, West Lothian’s area commander, said Operation Heathyard has been centred on the Latvian community in West Lothian.
“Community action team officers helped to carry out the search warrant,” he said.
“We will have additional officers on patrol in these neighbourhoods over the weekend to provide reassurance and to speak to anyone who may have any further information or who needs any more advice and assistance.
“I would urge anyone with information or concerns about human trafficking or exploitation in their community to speak to police on 101. We will do all we can with our partners to keep people safe.”
Councillor George Paul said: “West Lothian Council is committed to continuing our partnership with Police Scotland and other agencies as they take action.”