Three arrested for alleged human trafficking and labour exploitation
21 August 2014
A police investigation into suspected human trafficking and labour exploitation has resulted in court for two Portadown men this week.
Thu 21 Aug 2014
A police investigation into suspected human trafficking and labour exploitation has resulted in court for two Portadown men this week.
Samuil Covaci, 23, and Ioan Lacatus, 31, appeared before the Lisburn Magistrates Court in Northern Ireland this week charged with a total of 50 offences – each faced 12 people trafficking and 12 forced labour charges, and acting as a gangmaster without a licence.
It follows the rescue of 14 Romanian men and six women from two locations in County Armagh over the last week. They had been working in a meat processing factory.
Lacatus has also been charged with concealing property contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
According to a statement from the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA), which is working with police, both men denied the charges.
Another man, aged 27, was arrested but released on bail pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.
Police Service Northern Ireland detective inspector Todd Clements from the Organised Crime Branch said in a statement the 20 Romanians were safe and that inquiries were continuing.
In addition to the GLA, police worked with the UK Human Trafficking Centre and other agencies.
When asked about the outcome of the court appearance, both police and the GLA directed Recruiter to the court, which did not answer calls before deadline.
Northern Ireland’s News Letter, however, reported District Judge Peter King had remanded the men in custody and ordered that they re-appear via video link later this month.
A police investigation into suspected human trafficking and labour exploitation has resulted in court for two Portadown men this week.
Samuil Covaci, 23, and Ioan Lacatus, 31, appeared before the Lisburn Magistrates Court in Northern Ireland this week charged with a total of 50 offences – each faced 12 people trafficking and 12 forced labour charges, and acting as a gangmaster without a licence.
It follows the rescue of 14 Romanian men and six women from two locations in County Armagh over the last week. They had been working in a meat processing factory.
Lacatus has also been charged with concealing property contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
According to a statement from the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA), which is working with police, both men denied the charges.
Another man, aged 27, was arrested but released on bail pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.
Police Service Northern Ireland detective inspector Todd Clements from the Organised Crime Branch said in a statement the 20 Romanians were safe and that inquiries were continuing.
In addition to the GLA, police worked with the UK Human Trafficking Centre and other agencies.
When asked about the outcome of the court appearance, both police and the GLA directed Recruiter to the court, which did not answer calls before deadline.
Northern Ireland’s News Letter, however, reported District Judge Peter King had remanded the men in custody and ordered that they re-appear via video link later this month.
