Eight in court on human trafficking charges

A total of eight defendants appeared at Blackburn Magistrates Court on Friday.

They were arrested in a series of dawn raids across Lancashire and beyond.

Andra Catalina Amzulin, 27, of Station Road, Blackpool, Razvan Florinel Mitru, 30, of Arkwright Road, Preston and Traian Gavrila, 30, of Victoria Place, Preston were all detained following the raids which were carried out as part of Operation Ludlow.

Alexander Peter Baltoiu, 24, of St Margaret's Road, Evesham, Worcestershire, Marian Diaconu, 25, of Arborfield Close, Slough, Ionut Cosmin Dogaru, 28, of Pine Street, Blackburn, , Marius Ciprian Trasca, 29, of Watt Street, Gateshead and Claudiu-nicusor Valescu, 31, of Pine Street, Blackburn, also appeared before Blackburn magistrates.

All eight defendants face charges of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation, an offence under the Modern Slavery Act of 2015 and causing or inciting prostitution for gain.

They were remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on May 22.