Four people were jailed for trafficking offences at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.
Jagpal Singh (52) was sentenced to 10 years, Donglin Zhang (48) was sentenced to 8 years, Vlassis Ntaoulias (33) was sentenced to 7 years and Boonsong Wannas (62) was sentenced to six years and four months.
All four were previously convicted of human trafficking and brothel keeping offences.
Detective Superintendent Donna Duffy, in charge of Glasgow’s Human Trafficking Unit said: “I welcome the sentencing today. Human trafficking is a despicable crime that has an unmeasurable long term impact on its victims.
“We are committed to working alongside partners to tackle human trafficking and we will work to identify those responsible and protect their victims.
“I would like to thank all our partners including Home Office Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations.
“I would continue to encourage members of the community to contact us if they have any concerns as they are vital to helping us identify those involved.”
An intelligence led operation saw officers from Greater Glasgow Human Trafficking Unit execute three search warrants in Glasgow, along with a search warrant executed in Edinburgh on Monday (15 February 2021).
Detective Inspector Mark McLennan of Greater Glasgow CID said: “Officers carried out search warrants at addresses in Denniston, Maryhill and Thornliebank in Glasgow and the Canongate area of Edinburgh.
“A 28-year-old woman and two men aged 32 and 45 were arrested in Glasgow and charged in connection with human trafficking and sexual exploitation. All three were expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday. A 31-year-old man was also reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
“We worked closely with Edinburgh City, National Human Trafficking Unit and Home Office Immigration Enforcement Crime and Financial Investigation Scotland as part of this operation.”
This weekend marks international Anti-Slavery Day, on Sunday 18 October 2020.
Assistant Chief Constable Judi Heaton is reminding everyone that slavery is not a thing of the past but continues to blight Scotland’s communities:
It is up to all of us to Spot the Signs, to help those being exploited, to stand against traffickers and protect our communities.
Human Trafficking is the illegal trade in human beings, both adults and children, for the purpose of commercial exploitation.
Victims of human trafficking are often the most vulnerable members of a community however, there is no such thing as a typical victim.
Victims are known to come from numerous continents such as Asia, Africa and (Eastern) Europe. They may arrive in your community after being kidnapped, smuggled or tricked by a friend offering a job and the opportunity of a new life, however soon discover that their lives are not their own and are forced into a life of exploitation with no way of escaping.
Trafficking victims are often forced into prostitution, exploitative labour, the illegal drugs trade, stealing or domestic slavery to pay back the debt that traffickers claim they owe them for travel. Victims are trapped in this life with limited freedom or options. They regularly have their identity documents removed and are often subjected to physical and mental abuse, torture and rape.
Human Trafficking exists in communities across Scotland and also can involve people who are resident legally in the country. The industry of trafficking people has become so sophisticated that it often goes unnoticed and assistance from the public is crucial to identify potential signs of Human Trafficking within your community and reporting any concerns to the police.
You do not have to report concerns to the police – you can pass on information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Potential Signs of Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking can happen anywhere, victims could be living next to you. Look for the signs:
Sexual Exploitation
Multiple female foreign nationals living at the same address.
Occupants are rarely seen outside.
Occupants of premises change regularly.
Male callers day and night staying for only a short time.
Sexual debris such as condoms, call cards, advertisements.
Forced Labour/Domestic Servitude
Migrant workers who have the right to free movement in and around the United Kingdom, but have limitations placed on their employment may be exploited through Industries such as agriculture, factories, hotels and restaurants.
Large number of foreign nationals living in the same address.
Occupants change regularly.
Van transported at unusual times of the day and/or night.
Workers movements are monitored and/or controlled by others.
Workers may seem fearful of employers, police or any other external agency and poorly integrate with the wider community.
Employers, or someone else, is holding their passport and/or legal documents.
Workers have no days off or holiday time.
Workers display signs of physical abuse i.e. bruises, cuts and signs of untreated medical problems.
Workers display signs of malnutrition, dehydration, exhaustion and poor personal hygiene.
Domestic Servitude is where an adult or child is forced into the role of a servant. This often occurs within a residential address. Signs to look out for include:
The person is rarely allowed out of the house, unless their employer or guardian is with them.
They have no private space or a proper place to sleep i.e. on the floor or sofa.
They have a poor diet or are given the family’s leftover food to eat.
They are subject to mental, physical, sexual abuse, threats or other cruelty.
A child, may have poor attendance at school, no access to education and no time to play with its peers.
There is no interaction with the family, friends or other authorities.
If you suspect there are people who have been trafficked into your community or you have concerns about an adult or child whom you think may be being exploited, please report this to Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where your call will be treated in confidence.
Four people have been charged as part of a joint operation to tackle human trafficking across the East and West of Scotland.
Led by detectives from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit, Operation Risbalit saw enforcement activity take place at six premises in Alloa, Inverkeithing, Cowdenbeath and Glasgow.
As a result, three men aged 41, 24 and 23 were arrested and charged along with a 25-year-old woman. All were scheduled to appear at Falkirk and Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court yesterday in connection with human trafficking offences.
Staff from a range of agencies worked together to bring the case to court. Police Scotland’s East Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit and Financial Investigation Unit, as well as key partners from Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI); Edinburgh Social Work; National Human Trafficking Unit; National Crime Agency; BTP; Scotrail; Network Rail and COPFS played vital roles in evidence gathering and resourcing the enforcement process.
In addition to the targeted arrests, visits were carried out at businesses in Bathgate, Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh and Stirling. These were led by Immigration Enforcement and supported by officers from Police Scotland.
Detective Inspector Keith Fairbairn from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said: “Extensive inquiries were undertaken by Police Scotland and supported by a number of other agencies and this culminated in the arrest of four people, who have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the officers and partners involved in this operation for their support and dedication throughout.
“Identifying human trafficking and supporting victims of such offences is a top priority for Police Scotland. Operation Risbalit is an Edinburgh-led inquiry, but our officers will continue to liaise with key counterparts both nationally within Scotland and the UK.
“I want the public to be assured that any report of human trafficking will be treated with the utmost seriousness and investigated thoroughly to bring perpetrators to justice.
“If you have any concerns that someone in your community may have been trafficked, or if you are a victim of this crime and wish to report it to police, please contact us via 101 or make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Four members of an organised crime group have been convicted of trafficking offences at the High Court in Glasgow. Three men and one woman convicted yesterday marked the conclusion of a five-year-long investigation undertaken by Police Scotland.Continue reading Human trafficking gang convicted following five year operation
The Scottish Government is seeking views on plans to introduce a legal duty on Scottish public authorities to notify Police Scotland about suspected human trafficking and exploitation victims.Continue reading Tackling human trafficking and exploitation
Traffickers are making potentially millions of pounds out of sexually exploiting people in Scotland. Police Scotland has today launched its first ever campaign targeting the perpetrators of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.Continue reading Human trafficking campaign launched
“Trafficking and exploitation can take place in any community and does not only affect people from overseas. It is essential that if we see or suspect something then we contact the appropriate authorities.”
The number of potential human trafficking victims identified and given help in Scotland has risen over the last year. There were 213 referrals to Police Scotland in 2017, a 42% increase from 2016. The greatest increase was in labour exploitation referrals, and over half of reports referred to a male victim, a rise of 64% from the previous year.Continue reading Significant rise in human trafficking numbers
