Romania and UK dismantle alleged sex trafficking network in joint operation |
Romanian and British law enforcement authorities have dismantled an alleged transnational organized crime network accused of trafficking vulnerable young women from Romania to the United Kingdom for sexual exploitation. The operation, carried out through coordinated raids and arrests in both countries earlier this month, marks a significant development in cross-border efforts to combat human trafficking and modern slavery.
According to Romanian prosecutors, the investigation targeted a criminal group suspected of operating since at least 2020. The group allegedly recruited young women from Romania, transported them to the United Kingdom, and exploited them through forced prostitution, retaining most of the proceeds from the illegal activity. Authorities say the case underscores the persistent challenge of human trafficking networks that operate across national borders while exploiting vulnerable individuals.
Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) announced that officers conducted nine house searches on January 8 in the southeastern counties of Buzău and Dolj. These searches were part of a broader criminal investigation into suspected organized crime, human trafficking, and pimping. At the same time, British authorities executed four search warrants in London, demonstrating the coordinated nature of the operation.
Prosecutors allege that the criminal group was initially formed in Buzău County by several individuals, many of whom were connected through family ties. Over time, the network........