People Smuggler Exploited Cleaning Business to Traffic Immigrants into Modern Slavery
A people smuggler who operated a cleaning company as a front to traffic Brazilian immigrants into the United Kingdom has been sentenced to three years in prison. Ana Lucia Martins, a 50-year-old Brazilian national, was convicted at the Old Bailey on Friday, February 13, following a comprehensive four-year investigation led by immigration officers and the Home Office.
Deceptive Promises and Harsh Realities
Martins lured her victims with false promises of lucrative employment opportunities in the UK, claiming they could earn up to £400 per week working for her cleaning firm. However, upon arrival, the immigrants were subjected to severe exploitation, forced to work grueling 12-hour shifts without any breaks for food or water. To evade detection, Martins frequently relocated her victims to different Airbnb accommodations every 15 days, misleading them by stating that their only form of payment was the provided housing.
Victim Testimonies and Coercive Tactics
One victim recounted in court, "A female has told me to come to the UK to work and has promised to get me a visa to work but this has not happened. I have been paid very little and the female has taken control of my life." In the rare instances where payments were made, Martins meticulously monitored the migrants' spending habits, tracking how much they spent and when. When victims expressed a desire to return to Brazil, she resorted to threats, including one occasion where she informed a victim that she knew the location of their family's residence.
Legal Consequences and Government Response
Martins was found guilty of assisting unlawful immigration to a member state, in violation of section 25(1) and (6) of the Immigration Act 1971. Alex Norris, the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, emphasized the severity of the case, stating, "This case is a prime example of the lies people smugglers sell to illegal migrants. Martins sold her victims a dream of a prosperous life in the UK – instead, they suffered abuse and exploitation." He further highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance border security and enforcement actions against such offenders.
The Home Office has confirmed that Martins will be automatically referred for deportation consideration following her prison sentence. This conviction underscores the critical need for vigilance and robust measures to combat human trafficking and modern slavery within the UK.
