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AN ORGANISED CRIME gang which made millions from operating illegal brothels in London has been sentenced to eight years in prison term.
The trial resulted from a special investigation carried out by the Metropolitan Police’s central specialist crime command.
The gang operated a number of brothels across London and had armed security overseeing the operation.
One man, 43 year-old Renato Dimitrov Sacchi, originally denied the allegations but later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to control prostitution for gain, being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of criminal property.
He was sentenced to eight years and 11 months imprisonment.
A 23-year-old woman, Flavia Xavier-Sacchi also pleaded guilty later in the trial having first denied the offences – she was charged with the above same offences as Renato and sentenced to eight years and seven months in prison.
Raul Sacchi (49) was convicted of conspiracy to control prostitution for gain and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, and received nine years and six months imprisonment.
Detectives working the investigation identified these three individuals as a senior level of management within the organised crime gang.
The Met police said “they enjoyed lavish lifestyles and spent the proceeds made from the exploitation of sex workers, on luxury holidays, vehicles and jewellery.
A number of other people also plead guilty to criminal offences or were convicted at trial.
Police said: “To protect their criminal enterprise, the OCG armed their security with a variety of weapons including tasers, pepper spray, cattle prods, and baseball bats. The guards also oversaw the sale of alcohol and drugs from each of the venues.”
Throughout the course of the investigation one female came forward as a victim and told police she was forced to work in the brothels over the course of two months.
Her movements were monitored by CCTV and the OCG threatened to have her family in Brazil killed if she tried to leave. In April 2017 the victim escaped and sought help from police.
Raids were carried out at a number of different locations in May 2018 and February 2019.
During the search of the home address of Renato and Flavia Sacchi on 6 February 2019, fifteen packs of cash were found. Also found was a quantity of cash totalling around €57,000, two tasers and a CS gas canister.
Throughout the investigation detectives examined mobile phones seized from the group.
They found charts showing the structure of the gang with distinct roles of “leadership”, “security” and “operator”. Raul Sacchi described this in correspondence as the “hierarchic flowchart”.
Detective Inspector Dan Mitchell from Central Specialist Crime said: “This lengthy and complex investigation has dismantled an organised crime group who were exploiting women across London for their own financial gain.”
“Through thorough examination of their devices, detectives found the group saw themselves as a legitimate business which they went to extreme lengths to protect. They employed and armed security guards, and maintained control over all communication between their so-called employees.
“Individuals often are reticent or too afraid to come forward in modern slavery investigations, so it is our job to build a prosecution and dismantle OCGs like this with whatever evidence we can.”
“Anyone considering exploiting other human beings for financial gain should expect to face the same level of expert investigation and prosecution,” he added.
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All this good news must have people worried, sure what are they going to moan about if things are going well?
There you go Paul. Ger found something.
Tingz wear better wen tingz was worser
Hauliers are the back bone of the country. They even deliver the economy.
Brilliant customer service, always with Irish Ferries. They go out of their way to help.
They went out of their way to get rid or their Irish staff.
Greedy Irish Staff.
The way they faced down the unions was an inspiration to us all, they stood up to the bullies and showed the rest if us the way
You must have met the ONE that can speak english
You mean polish ferrys find stena much better
Maybe its all the baled waste heading abroad for incineration. Export all our problems?
Or it could be an increase in emigration.
People shipping their stuff overseas.
Containers on ships is not always good news.
Or maybe they are transporting all the illegal cannabis grown in Co Clare to supply markets on the continent.
Thanks Enda :)
Which way is the freight going? Mainly in or out? Without that information just Journal spin! Not very accurate reporting
Does it matter, it’s keeping a Irish comapny going who have just announved lots of expanction at start of the year. Jobs are being secured in Irish and British ports.
You should really read up on how a successful economy works import export, balance of trade etc.
oh yeah. a truly great irish company. who flag out their ships under the Cypriot flag to limit the need to comply with best practices. who use an agency to employ non EU crew and and pay way below the minimum wage with minimum leave. a true shining light.
John they have the best ferries & service on the Irish sea. You may be correct about how they behave towards their staff but your argument is damaged by your misinformation.
Micheal. would you mind explaining what you .mean by my misinformation?
Your suggestion about using best practices is vague & designed to be that way to call into question the highest standards used by IF. These ferries are the best on the irish sea with the best service on that sea. Nothing comes close for service or comfort. I know i travel on all these ferries serveral times a week.
micheal…..if you travel with IF on a regular basis you might remember when a truck driver died due to a heart attack. he was attended by a nurse who was travelling on the ship. she requested the use of a defibrillator and was told that there was none on the ship. This was confirmed by an Irish Ferries spokesperson on national radio. they said it wasnt required and yet when these ships were manned by Irish and Uk crew there were defibeillators onboard and crew trained in the use of same. This Micheal is one example of what i mean by best practices. So next time you travel enjoy your comfort but for your sake dont have a heart attack!
We agree that Hauliers and Couriers are the backbone of the country (referring to the UK but we sure it’s the same for Ireland). This has been proved during the #opstack crisis caused by the nonsense at Calais recently. We really want to do more business with Irish Ferries as our freight customers always have good feedback about them. Roll on 2016.
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