By Grimsby man charged over modern slavery offences
Three people, including a man from Grimsby, have been charged in connection with modern slavery offences.
Earlier this week, Humberside Police led an investigation into a gang suspected of forcing children into modern day slavery to deal drugs in Grimsby.
Five suspects were arrested on Tuesday 4 August, after the Organised Crime Team – supported by officers from the Regional Organised Crime Team, West Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police – carried out simultaneous warrants in Grimsby, Leeds and Bradford.
All five appeared before Grimsby Magistrates Court yesterday following.
Three have been charged with modern slavery offences.
Hazrat Shah, 32, of Chatham Street, Bradford and Andrew Fox, 34, of Kingsway Garth, Leeds, are both charged with forcing a teenager and a vulnerable adult into compulsory labour, conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin and facilitating the travel of a teenager, with the view to him being exploited.
Jason Gladding, 30 of Frederick Street, Grimsby, is charged with forcing a teenager and a vulnerable adult into compulsory labour, conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin.
A 25-year-old Bradford woman and 28-year-old Bradford arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and offences under the modern day slavery act, have been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Booker said:
“Today’s action is the result of a long-term investigation led by Humberside Police into the supply of Class A drugs in Grimsby and the exploitation of children.
“We know that many county lines gangs operate by taking vulnerable children away from their homes, friends and families, depositing them in a strange town and forcing them to deal drugs for them.
“This is a form of modern day slavery and it’s not something that we are prepared to tolerate in this area.”
Humberside Police also released the following video:
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