Three charged over illegal people trafficking

By Rod Addy

- Last updated on GMT

The GLA is working with UK police forces to stamp out slavery in the food supply chain
The GLA is working with UK police forces to stamp out slavery in the food supply chain
Three people have been charged for illegal people trafficking as part of a joint operation between Norfolk Police, Suffolk Police and the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA). 

Arrests were made on April 2 last year by officers investigating people trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation in an initiative dubbed Operation Badsworth.

A warrant was executed in Great Yarmouth which resulted in a number of arrests. All the individuals were from the local area and involved in vegetable and meat processing, according to the GLA.

The trio were charged yesterday (March 4). Konstantin Sasmurin, aged 32 and Linus Ratautas, aged 29 – both of Yarmouth Road, Caister – were each charged with acting as a gangmaster without a licence under the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004.

Charged

They were all charged with holding a person in slavery or servitude or requiring a person to perform forced/compulsory labour under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009).

And the three are also being prosecuted for trafficking people for exploitation under the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc) Act 2004 and money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

In addition, Evelina Perekriostovai, aged 22, also of Yarmouth Road, Caister, was charged with money laundering.

All three were bailed to appear at Great Yarmouth Magistrates’ Court on April 1, 2015.

The GLA said it was unable to comment on proceedings at this stage.

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