18 Oct 2018
Three arrested in poultry industry modern slavery enquiry
Three people have been arrested in Kent in connection with a Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority investigation into modern slavery in the poultry industry.
Five warrants were executed early yesterday morning (Thursday, November 2) in the Maidstone area by GLAA officers assisted by Kent Police.
Two men, aged 55 and 54, and a 55-year-old woman were arrested and remain in police custody. They are being questioned in connection with alleged modern slavery and unlicensed gangmaster offences.
Three arrests today in op in Kent. Excellent work from GLAA officers, @kent_police, @salvationarmy and others. t.co/QCs8W5pEtX
— Paul Broadbent (@PBroadbentGLA)Three arrests today in op in Kent. Excellent work from GLAA officers, @kent_police, @salvationarmy and others. https://t.co/QCs8W5pEtX
— Paul Broadbent (@PBroadbentGLA) November 2, 2017
Three Lithuanian males, who were sent to work in chicken factories, have been taken to a reception centre where they will be invited to provide statements.
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They will also be assessed to establish if they are potential victims of trafficking or modern slavery.
Other agencies assisting on the operation included the Salvation Army, Maidstone Borough Council, the Women’s Institute and the National Health Service.
The investigation comes just five months after a man was sentenced to eight years in prison for modern slavery offences, where the victims were given allowances of just £20-30 a week despite working full time on a farm.
43-year-old Sajmon Brzezinski had trafficked a vulnerable man to Nottingham and forced him to work to fund his lavish lifestyle.
He had also tricked another vulnerable man - who considered himself a member of his family after being taken from an orphanage - into handing over most of the money he earned on the farm.
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