A GLASGOW gang has reportedly been busted as part of a major Scotland-wide operation targeting human traffickers.
The plot, called Operation Fasthold, was carried out over 10 months and has seen the closure of dozens of believed brothels across the country.
In raids yesterday, police broke down two doors of two premises in Glasgow believed to be linked to the brutal gang leaders.
READ MORE: 'I won't let them split us up': Friend's promise to Gorbals neighbour as demolition looms
Two "key members" were arrested on Wednesday, the Daily Record reports and at least 12 women, thought to be victims of the ring, were rescued by officers from being prostituted in Glasgow and Edinburgh and online.
The team of officers, headed by Detective Superintendent Donna Duffy, also seized phones, cars and bank statements thought to be linked to the crimes.
Det Supt Duffy told the paper: "This was a great result. It was a major achievement identifying these traffickers. This was a serious trafficking organisation which was operating at a major level.
"There is still a demand unfortunately and they keep operating to meet it. Trafficking is a hidden business and it doesn’t shut down because of Covid.
"Just because we go through the door of a brothel, doesn’t mean their operation is going to stop, they will move it to somewhere else. That’s why it is important to identify and arrest the traffickers.”
She told the paper that merciless traffickers will pay "thousands" to sell women on adult websites.
READ MORE: Glasgow shopkeeper stunned by £100 cash gift for struggling customers
She added: "It is easy for them. The calls come into someone in the chain, not the women, so the traffickers have all the control. The person taking the call will agree the price and know exactly how much money is earned and they take the vast majority of it.
"Operations like this often starting with something which has come from the community.
“If people have concerns about a property having a high number of visitors, they should contact us. It could be significant.”
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel