Three members of an organized crime gang have been sentenced to prison for their roles in people trafficking and modern slavery in North London.
The trio was tracked down following a tip from Czech police regarding a criminal network exploiting men and women since 2012.
Zdenek Drevenak, 38, Jiri Cernohous, 49, and Martin Slovjak, 46, received a combined sentence of 26 years for their involvement in human trafficking, forced labor, and money laundering in Enfield.
During their sentencing at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, it was revealed that the gang targeted vulnerable individuals from the Czech Republic, luring them to the UK for financial exploitation. The victims were transported by coach, plane, and car to Durant’s Road in Enfield.
Once there, they were forced to work in fast-food restaurants in Caxton, Cambridgeshire, and at a pita bread bakery in Hoddesdon and Tottenham. The gang reportedly made up to £400,000 annually from their illegal activities.
Metropolitan Police reviewed over 1,500 hours of CCTV footage from a residence in Enfield to gather evidence against the group.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who led the investigation, stated that the Met is committed to addressing modern slavery and human trafficking by targeting dangerous offenders and improving protections for vulnerable individuals. He emphasized the cruelty of modern slavery, where offenders exploit the hopes of those seeking better lives, subjecting them to harsh conditions.
The investigation revealed that the gang forced vulnerable adults into labor, domestic servitude, and sex work. Many victims, who spoke little English, were misled into signing contracts that directed their wages into the defendants’ accounts, allowing the gang to sidestep labor laws.
Victims were made to work 10-12 hours daily without breaks and received only a small fraction of their supposed earnings, between £10-50 as pocket money, while being charged £150 weekly for rent.
Debi Lloyd, Head of the UK Counter Trafficking Operation at Justice and Care, praised the courage of the survivors and the police’s dedication in handling the case. She highlighted the importance of support systems for survivors throughout the criminal justice process.
Drevenak was sentenced to 13 years, Cernohous to nine years, and Slovjak to four years in prison.
