Food industry trafficking: brothers jailed for six years

19-May-2016 - Last updated on 20-May-2016 at 10:29 GMT

Marian Dzuga (left) and Jozef Dzuga were each sentenced to six years

Two Slovakian brothers have been sentenced to six years each in prison, after being convicted of trafficking Slovak nationals, some of whom were working in the food industry.

Some of the victims had been forced to work in the vegetable processing and packaging industry.

Marian Dzuga, now 38 years old, of Windsor Road in Gillingham and Jozef Dzuga, 37 years old, of Salisbury Road in Chatham, were both found guilty of trafficking within the UK with intent to exploit following a month-long trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

An investigation began after one of the victims went into a police station in September 2012 to report he was the victim of human trafficking and labour exploitation.

Following a tip off

Officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate began an investigation following a tip off from one of the brothers’ victims. The man revealed he had been homeless in Slovakia in 2005 when the brothers approached him and persuaded him to move to the UK on the promise there would be accommodation and work waiting for him.

In reality, the brothers took control of his bank account and although he was living at an address in Chatham, he was made to work all over the country.

He said he was made to work 40–60 hours a week earning up to £240 a week but he would in reality be given very little of his wage.

Threatened with violence

Supported by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA), the UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC), Her Majesties Revenue & Customs, Red Cross and the Department for Work and Pensions, warrants were carried out in November 2013 at the brothers’ home addresses in Chatham. A number of victims were found to be forced to live in squalid conditions and had been threatened with violence.

All the victims, four of which gave evidence during the trial, revealed they had been brought into the country on the promise of work and accommodation.

Investigating officer detective constable Phil Kershaw said: “This was a well organised enterprise to traffick people into the UK, within the UK and then, when they were where the Dzugas needed them to be, to force them to work.

“They paid them a pittance, deprived them of any control over their affairs, including their identity documents.”

Detective chief inspector Morgan Cronin said: “We have also secured a 10-year slavery and trafficking prevention order to ensure that these men have restrictions placed on them when they are released.”