Eight people charged with human trafficking after raids in Blackpool and Preston

The seven men and one woman were arrested following a series of early morning raids at addresses in Blackburn, Preston and Blackpool in Lancashire, Gateshead in Northumbria and Evesham, near Worcester on Wednesday, April 19).

Razvan Mitru, 30, of Arkwright Road, Preston; Ionut Dogaru, 28, of Whitebirk Road, Blackburn; Alexandru Baltoiu, 24, of St Margaret’s Road, Evesham; Marius Trasca, 29, of Watt Street, Gateshead; Marian Diaconu, 25, of Arborfield Close, Slough; Andra Amzulin, 27, of Station Road, Blackpool; Claudiu-Nicusor Vlaescu, 31, of Whitebirk Road, Blackburn and Traian Gvarila, 31, of Victoria Place, Preston have this evening been charged with conspiring to traffic for sexual exploitation and conspiring to incite prostitution for gain.

They are all due to appear before Blackburn Magistrates Court tomorrow morning.

The charges follow a long running proactive investigation led by Lancashire Constabulary’s human trafficking and modern slavery team Op Proteus, a dedicated team working to identify both the victims and perpetrators of trafficking and slavery across Lancashire.

To pass on information anonymously you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or complete an anonymous form online www.crimestoppers-uk.org . When you contact them your identity will be protected.

If you think that someone is in immediate danger call 999, if you suspect slavery is happening and there is no immediate threat to life then contact us on 101.

Lancashire Victims Services are also here to offer help and support, even if you haven’t reported a crime to the police. Contact them on 0300 323 0085.

There is also a national Modern Slavery Helpline offering confidential help and advice, you can also report information to them on 08000 121 700.