In 2019, a Polish human trafficking ring was convicted in what the Crown Prosecution Service described as a significant modern slavery prosecution. The case involved the exploitation of vulnerable workers from Poland who were brought to the UK and forced to work for minimal pay.
The Case
The traffickers targeted vulnerable individuals in Poland, including people who were homeless or struggling with addiction. Victims were promised accommodation and well-paid employment in the UK. Upon arrival, their documents were confiscated and they were forced to work for as little as £10 per week.
The victims worked in various sectors including onion picking, fencing manufacturing, and parcel sorting. They were housed in cramped conditions without adequate heating or hot water. The case was investigated by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).
Convictions and Sentencing
Five members of the trafficking ring were convicted. Marek Chowaniec and Ignacy Brzezinski each received 11-year prison sentences. Other defendants received lesser sentences. The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the case as an example of successful prosecution of modern slavery offences.
The GLAA
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority was established following the 2004 Morecambe Bay disaster, in which 23 Chinese cockle pickers drowned. The GLAA has powers to investigate labor abuse, revoke licenses, and refer cases for criminal prosecution. Operating without a GLAA license can result in up to 10 years' imprisonment.
Broader Context
The UK National Referral Mechanism received 19,118 referrals of potential modern slavery victims in 2024. Seventy-four percent of referred victims were non-UK nationals. The Polish trafficking case represents one of the larger prosecutions, but many cases go undetected or unprosecuted.
