High Town man and woman charged with people trafficking

On Wednesday 29th November warrants were executed in Lancashire, Manchester, Northampton and Luton.

The searches were part of an investigation into the trafficking and sexual exploitation of a large number of Romanian women.

Property seized from the addresses has ranged from items linked to the sex trade, cash and firearms. Six women have been removed from the addresses and are being supported by specially trained officers.

Over the last two days, the seven suspects have been interviewed at length by the human trafficking team of Lancashire Police and they have all been charged with conspiring to traffick, conspiring to cause prostitution and firearm offences.

Florin Rusescu, 44, of High Town Road, Luton, is charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation, causing or inciting prostitution and possession of a weapon for discharge of noxious liquid/gas/electrical incapacitation.

Maria Badulescu, 33, of High Town Road, Luton, is charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation and causing or inciting prostitution.

Ionel Sandu, 32, of Carlton Road, Blackburn, is charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation and causing or inciting prostitution.

Andrei Carabet, 27, of Manchester Road, Preston, is charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation and causing or inciting prostitution.

Catalin Mihailescu, 43, of Wadeson Road, Manchester, is charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation and causing or inciting prostitution.

Mihai Nicolescu, 33, of Freehold Street, Northampton, is charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation and causing or inciting prostitution.

Valentin Poiana, 40, of Orchard Street, Manchester, is charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation and causing or inciting prostitution.

All appeared at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court this morning