UK police have closed an organised crime gang trafficking women to Britain for sex.
Officers arrested seven suspects in searches in London and Romania.
Eight victims were taken into safety after the co-ordinated raids.
The accused had been smuggling vulnerable women from Romania to the United Kingdom.
Officers seized a range of weapons, huge amounts of cash, jewellery, and a luxury vehicle.
A spokesman for Europol – which helped co-ordinate the operation – said:
“The victims were recruited in Romania before being brought to the United Kingdom for sexual exploitation.
“The organised crime group ran an escort service agency in London, through which it would advertise the sexual services provided by their victims.
“When the escort service received a booking, members of the criminal group would bring the Romanian women to the client and collect at least half of the payment afterwards.
“As well as having to surrender most of their earnings, victims would also have to pay for transport, lodging and advertising, which rendered them financially dependent on the traffickers.
“To keep the exploited women under their control, members of the criminal group also resorted to threats and violence.
“In addition to being suspected of forcing women into prostitution, the traffickers are also under investigation for money laundering.”
Two Romanian police officers took part in the action day in London.
Four Metropolitan Police officers attended the operation in Romania.
