05.01.2023
A couple who kept people as slaves have been jailed for a total of 25 years.
In June, a couple who kept people as slaves and made them work for free at a car wash business in Bristol were jailed for a total of 25 years.
Maros Tancos and Joanna Gomulska were the ringleaders of a modern slavery and human trafficking operation in Bristol, persuading people to travel from Slovakia to work for them.
Tancos would use his links to orphanages and camps in Slovakia to recruit victims, promising them transport, a place to live, and a better life.
The victims were told they would get to keep half of their wages every month, whilst the other half would go towards food and living costs.
However, on arrival, the victims were kept in squalor in the couple’s three-bedroom home in Brentry Lane, Bristol, and forced to work for free. They claimed they were locked in the house and had their identity documents and mobile phones taken away from them.
An NCA spokesman said in a statement:
“Tackling human trafficking and modern slavery is a high priority for the NCA. We are committed to working with partners across law enforcement, the private, public and charity sectors to pursue offenders and protect victims wherever they may be.”
