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August 2023
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Two people have been arrested after specialist officers executed a number of warrants in west London in a bid to target criminals trafficking women into the UK from South America for the purposes of sexual exploitation.
On Tuesday, 23 February at approximately 05:00hrs detectives from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime Command, supported by Territorial Support Group officers, executed search warrants at six addresses across London in Hounslow, Croydon, Newham and Barnet. The pre-planned operation was carried out to target the human trafficking of women from South America into the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation within brothels in the London area. A 25-year-old man [A] and a 24-year-old woman [B] were arrested as part of this morning’s warrants on suspicion of controlling prostitution for gain and to conceal/disguise/convert/transfer/remove criminal property. [A] was also arrested on suspicion of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation. Those arrested are alleged to be part of an organised crime group, which is active in running brothels. They have both been taken to a west London police station where they remain in custody. Officers also identified seven potential victims of trafficking and they have been safeguarded. Detective Inspector Nick Bland, from the Central Crime Command, said: “I am delighted that the team’s hard work has paid off with the arrest of two people, who we believe are responsible for trafficking vulnerable women into the UK to exploit them. More importantly, I am pleased we have been able to identify seven potential victims of trafficking and safeguard them. “Unfortunately, modern slavery exploitation still takes place across London, and I hope this investigation continues to raise the public’s awareness of this shocking crime and sends a clear message to those involved that we will take action. “The Met’s modern slavery team work incredibly hard to put a stop to these types of crimes to safeguard any potential victims of trafficking and bring the perpetrators to justice. However, we also need your help. “If you suspect that you, or someone you have come into contact with, may be a victim of modern slavery or trafficking and require support, please call The Salvation Army’s 24 hour confidential referral helpline on 0800 808 3733. This is the best way to get support to anyone you suspect might be a victim “You can also report a suspicion or seek advice through the Modern Slavery Helpline confidentially on 08000 121 700. This is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “You can also report to the police online at www.met.police.uk or by calling 101, in case of an emergency dial 999. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.” source Met Police
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Uber drivers must be treated as workers rather than self-employed, the UK's Supreme Court has ruled.
uber driver claims The decision could mean thousands of Uber drivers are set to be entitled to minimum wage and holiday pay. The ruling could leave the ride-hailing app facing a hefty compensation bill, and have wider consequences for the gig economy. Uber said the ruling centred on a small number of drivers and it had since made changes to its business. In a long-running legal battle, Uber had appealed to the Supreme Court after losing three earlier rounds. Uber is being challenged by its drivers in multiple countries over whether they should be classed as workers or self-employed. Source BBC
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A man has been jailed after £450,380 was found in the boot of his car following an investigation led by the Met's Proactive Money Laundering Team.
Shane Cameron, 24, (2.10.96) of Ashburnham Road, Bedford appeared at Luton Crown Court on 12 December 2020 where he pled guilty to possession of criminal property, namely cash under Section 329 Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. He was sentenced to one year and four months' imprisonment on Friday, 12 February, Cameron’s arrest on 8 December 2020 followed a search of his vehicle in Gardenia Avenue, Luton. Officers found a large plastic laundry bag and several other plastic shopping bags, each containing large quantities of cash. Detective Sergeant Steve Lambeth, of the Met's Proactive Money Laundering Team, said: “I would like to assure the public that we take a zero tolerance approach to this sort of criminality within our community, and we are committed to bringing those involved to justice. “The recovery of such a substantial amount of money was a great example of how officers are tirelessly working to disrupt organised crime. This money was not only being used to finance serious organised crime across the UK but also represents the proceeds of previous crimes undertaken to acquire such vast sums of cash. This seizure has had a significant impact on those activities. “I am proud of the achievements of our officers and staff in bearing down on organised crime, despite the challenges of the pandemic." We would like to hear from anyone who has information about crime. Community intelligence can be used to great effect to not only detect, but also prevent crime and keep London safe. If you don’t want to speak to the police, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They are a totally independent charity and you will remain 100 per cent anonymous - they never ask your name and they cannot trace your call, your IP address or the device you use. Alternatively, you can visit their website Money laundering solicitors London source
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Officers from the Met's Taskforce have used a heavy duty vehicle to break down a set of gates during an operation targeting criminality on encrypted devices. At approximately 05:15hrs on Thursday, 18 February officers carried out a warrant at a residential property in Swanley, Kent, as part of an ongoing investigation into the large-scale organised supply of drugs into the UK. A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to import Class A drugs. He remains in custody. Detective Chief Inspector Driss Hayoukane, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: "We have a wide range of tactics and methods that allows us to catch and arrest those involved in serious organised criminality. "As part of Operation Eternal we are continuing to pursue criminals who are using encrypted mobile devices to drugs onto the streets of London and beyond. "By removing the large-scale drugs supply into London we are removing the accelerant that fuels the violence and stabbings that leave people with serious injuries and some families grieving." source
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Five men and one woman have been arrested for modern slavery offences following a pre-planned operation by officers from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.
The warrants were executed this morning, Tuesday, 9 February, in Harrow, Romford, Hayes, Forest Gate and Harlow in Essex. They were carried out with assistance from officers from the Territorial Support Group (TSG) Those arrested are aged between 30 and 55 years-old. They have been arrested for a variety of offences, including suspicion of holding a person in slavery, human trafficking, controlling prostitution and money laundering. This is an ongoing investigation to target an eastern European Organised Crime Group (OCG) who are believed to be trafficking and exploiting people brought to the UK from Poland. One address visited in Hayes was identified as a brothel. Searches at the addresses are ongoing. Enquiries continue. You may need the services of modern slavery solicitors London. Detective Superintendent, Andy Furphy from Central Specialist Crime, said: “This investigation will continue as we look to find everyone involved and uncover the true scale of this illegal operation. “Unfortunately, this type of exploitation is still happening across London and the UK. The Met’s modern slavery team works around the clock to identify people involved in human trafficking and forced labour, and we play a role in protecting and supporting hundreds of victims each year. "We need help from the public as they have an important role to play in recognising and reporting modern slavery. If you suspect someone may be a victim of modern slavery, report it. You will always be taken seriously and protection and support is available. "Often those affected do not see themselves as potential victims of sexual exploitation and many will have been coerced into this life to make money for an organised crime network. "We believe there are victims of modern slavery in every borough across London and the public may encounter them every day, possibly without realising. As well as being sexually exploited, victims have been found working in construction, domestic servitude, agriculture, cannabis factories and in places you use yourself, such as car washes, barbers and nail bars. "Victims are often told the police and authorities in the UK are not to be trusted and with limited English are unable to seek help, even if they want to." If you suspect that you, or someone you have come into contact with, may be a victim of modern slavery or trafficking and require support, please call The Salvation Army’s 24 hour confidential referral helpline on 0800 808 3733. This is the best way to get support to anyone you suspect might be a victim You can also report a suspicion or seek advice through the Modern Slavery Helpline confidentially on 08000 121 700. This is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also report to the police online at www.met.police.uk or by calling 101, in case of an emergency dial 999. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. source
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Specialist officers have this morning made seven arrests and seized cash and a suspected firearm at addresses in east London and Essex.
The activity is linked to Operation Eternal, the Met’s investigation to counter the use of encrypted devices by criminals to avoid detection. Operation Eternal is the Met’s investigation name for its involvement in Operation Venetic, led by the National Crime Agency. The warrants in Redbridge and Havering were carried out in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday, 18 November by the Met’s Specialist Crime Proactive Hub, aided by the Territorial Support Group. At the same time, searches were carried out at addresses in Essex. The warrants relate to an investigation into people who thought their criminality was hidden behind security devices to distribute messages and images in order to carry out their crimes Images are used by the criminals to show the illicit items and the one attached shows what is attributed to be a 1 kilogram block of cocaine. The investigation relates to EncroChat, which was one of the largest providers of encrypted communications and offered a secure mobile phone instant messaging service, but an international law enforcement team cracked the company’s encryption. On 13 June 2020, EncroChat realised the platform had been penetrated and sent a message to its users urging them to throw away their handsets. The phones – which have pre-loaded apps for instant messaging, have a kill code which wipes them remotely – have no other conventional smart phone functionality and cost around £1,500 for a six-month contract. As a result on the investigation on Tuesday, 17 November, police arrested a man on suspicion of directing the supply of drugs into east London and Essex between April and September 2020. Also seized at the time of the arrest was a knife that is also suspected to be a stun-gun. The 52 year-old man [A] is currently being questioned by detectives and following the arrest, a residential property was searched in Liverpool In addition, other addresses in east London and Essex, believed to be linked to the organised crime group, were searched today (18.11.2020) as police sought further evidence of drugs supply. At an address in Havering, a 40-year-old man [B] was arrested on suspicion of possession of criminal property and cash, believed to be in excess of £100,000, was seized. Three addresses in Ilford that were searched resulted in three arrests. At one a 46-year-old-man [C] was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs. A suspected firearm was also found in the search, this awaits forensic examination. At the second address a 48-year-old woman [D] was arrested on suspicion of possession of criminal property and about £6,500 in cash was seized. At a third Ilford address, officers executed a search warrant and arrested a 45 year-old man [H] on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply. At an address in Grays, Essex, two 18-year-old men [E] and [F] were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs. At another Grays, Essex, address a 23-year-old man [G] was arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis. Lastly at an address in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, police executed a search warrant and discovered a cannabis factory. There were no occupants or arrests. Currently, as a result of the operation, eight people have been arrested. Police continue to identify other subjects concerned in the supply of drugs and offences under the proceeds of crime act. Detective Inspector Niall McSheffrey, from the Specialist Crime Command, said: “The action taken today demonstrates the Met’s continued fight to tackle serious and organised crime. The extent of this organised crime group’s criminality is clear from the messages and images on the encrypted devices. I hope today’s activity sends a clear message to criminals that they have nowhere to hide.” “The National Crime Agency played a key role combatting encrypted communications through Operation Venetic and due to extensive and thorough investigations a number of EncroChat users have been found.” |