A smuggling gang that forced 24 Thai women into prostitution after smuggling them across the Channel has been jailed for a combined 23 years.
Three men and a woman were convicted after an investigation into a string of brothels across London and Kent found dozens of Thai women who had their passports taken from them and were forced into prostitution.
Achareeya Spurr, Chin Ping, Ugur Sahin and Sarunyoo Siriwan were all convicted of conspiracy to commit human trafficking, conspiracy to control prostitution for gain and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
Spurr, 49, pleaded guilty to the charges while Ping, 56, Sahin, 27, and Siriwan, 31, were convicted after a seven-week trial.
The three men were also found guilty of facilitating a breach of UK immigration law by a non-UK national.
Gang members targeted Thai women and arranged for them to travel to the UK, often under the pretence of legitimate visitor visas, Woolwich Crown Court heard.
Once they arrived in the UK, victims were taken to brothels and coerced into sex to repay alleged debts, which often amounted to tens of thousands of pounds.
Their passports were often confiscated and kept by gangsters to control them, leaving the women isolated and dependent.
Achareeya Spurr a member of the crime gang which smuggled dozens of Thai women into the UK
Chin Ping, another member of the gang which forced the woman into prostitution and confiscated their passports
Sarunyoo Siriwan was jailed for four years and four months after a trial at Woolwich Crown Court
Detectives found at least one victim was smuggled into the UK in the back of a vehicle across the English Channel from the Netherlands.
Last October officers from the Metropolitan Police’s modern slavery and child exploitation team searched seven addresses and seized £57,145 in cash, a money-counting machine, designer watches and handbags, mobile phones, Sim and bank cards and three victims’ passports.
Police linked 26 brothels to the group and found 24 victims believed to have been exploited by them who arrived in the UK last year.
During visits to the brothels, officers spoke to Thai women who reported their passports had been taken by a woman known to them as ‘Freya’ or ‘Freya Ice Queen’.
Detective Constable Kathryn Horne, of the Met, said: ‘This was a sophisticated criminal enterprise that targeted women for financial gain, treating them as commodities to be bought, controlled and exploited.
‘The defendants profited from the suffering of women who had travelled thousands of miles to the UK, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt, control and sexual exploitation.
‘I would like to thank the victims for their courage throughout this investigation. Their accounts were crucial in bringing those responsible to justice.’
Ugur Sahin was the fourth convicted member of the gang, which was linked to 26 brothels across London and Kent
During searches of addresses linked to the gang police found stashes of designer watches
Officers also found wads of cash and passports belonging to the victims
Debi Lloyd, head of UK counter-trafficking operations at the victim support group Justice & Care, said: ‘First and foremost, this result is about the incredible courage of the victims who have come forward to share their story and engaged with a criminal justice process. After experiencing such significant trauma, this takes enormous strength.
‘This case also shows what is possible when agencies work together around the individual, combining a determined law enforcement response with consistent, specialist support. No court result can undo the harm someone has experienced, and we know that recovery is rarely a straight line.
‘But victims deserve to be heard, believed and supported to make their own choices, while those responsible for serious abuse and exploitation are held to account.
‘I am incredibly proud of the partnership working that helped make this result possible, and above all, I want to recognise the bravery of the victims at the heart of this case.’
Spurr was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison, while Ping was jailed for six years and nine months, Siriwan for four years and four months and Sahin for four years.
Those with concerns about modern slavery or human trafficking can report to police by calling 101, or in an emergency dial 999.
Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
