Man charged after 'victims trafficked to UK from Romania'
A man has been charged with human trafficking after police swooped on addresses around the Black Country and found 'a number of potential victims'.
Properties in Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Great Barr, Handsworth and Winson Green were targeted as police probed alleged trafficking of people from Romania to the UK.
More than 80 officers from West Midlands Police, National Crime Agency and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority carried out warrants this week.
West Midlands Police said: "A number of potential victims were identified and removed from a number of properties. Investigations are still on going to determine the full extent of exploitation.
Four people were arrested on suspicion of illegal trafficking activity, where victims are brought to the UK and work for next to nothing in poor conditions.
Two men aged 18 and 33 and a 38-year-old woman have been released pending further investigation.
Mihai Varga, 39, from Ashwin Road, Handsworth, was charged with human trafficking and a gangmaster offence. He appeared before Birmingham magistrates yesterday and was remanded in custody to appear at the Birmingham Crown Court on October 5.
