Five Arrested In Human Trafficking Probe
10 February 2017, 10:26 | Updated: 10 February 2017, 10:29
Five people have been arrested in connection with alleged human trafficking and related offences.
Three men aged 28, 35 and 58 and two women aged 25 and 40 are being held in custody following an intelligence-led operation by Police Scotland on the southside of Glasgow.
Officers from the specialist crime division searched houses in the Govanhill area on Thursday, which led to the arrests.
Detective Inspector Steven McMillan said the action formed part of a joint operation with other forces in the UK and police in Slovakia.
It was supported by other agencies including Europol, Glasgow's Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance and social work department, immigration enforcement and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
He said: "As part of the overall UK-wide investigation, 13 women who were victims of trafficking have been traced and, with the assistance of our partners, are now safe and receiving support.
"A further three women were recovered as a result of yesterday's activity and inquiries are currently ongoing in relation to this.
"Human trafficking cannot be tolerated and it is important that members of the public understand the impact human trafficking has on people, businesses and communities and to report any evidence of exploitation.
"Victims can be vulnerable from a number of factors such as poverty, war or poor education and are often targeted and subjected to abuse and forced into work where they are exploited.
"Where we identify trafficked people, we will work with partner agencies and other law enforcement agencies to support victims and to bring offenders to justice.''
