Number of UK child slavery cases up by nearly 800% in two years, figures show – The Independent

‘Child slavery cases in the UK have surged by nearly 800 per cent in just two years, new figures show. Data published in the Modern Slavery Police Transformation Programme’s annual report show there were 475 police operations into child slavery in the UK last month, compared with 53 in April 2017.’

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The Independent, 22nd May 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

First county lines drug dealing gang jailed using modern slavery laws – Daily Telegraph

‘Three drug dealers have become the first gang to be jailed under modern slavery laws for using children to traffic crack cocaine and heroin in so-called county lines operations.’

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Daily Telegraph, 14th May 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

More than 2,500 prison staff disciplined in five years with majority for sex and drugs, MoJ figures show – Daily Telegraph

‘Thousands of prison staff have been subject to disciplinary action in the past five years, including for relationships with inmates, assaulting prisoners and racism.’

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Daily Telegraph, 29th April 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Three convicted of trafficking in landmark ‘county lines’ case – The Guardian

‘Three gang members have been convicted of human trafficking offences after they used young and vulnerable children from London to transport and sell drugs in Hampshire in a landmark county lines case.’

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The Guardian, 17th April 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Five jailed over bid to smuggle £112m of cocaine into UK – The Guardian

Posted March 27th, 2019 in drug offences, drug trafficking, news, sentencing by sally

‘Five men involved in a plot to bring cocaine with a street value of £112m to the UK from South America in a sailing catamaran have been jailed.’

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The Guardian, 26th March 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK modern slavery cases involving children doubles – The Guardian

Posted March 20th, 2019 in children, drug trafficking, forced labour, news, statistics by sally

‘A steep rise in the number of vulnerable children being lured into dealing drugs as part of the so-called county lines crisis has led to a doubling of modern slavery cases involving UK minors in Britain.’

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The Guardian, 20th March 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

LGA warns on funding as modern slavery referrals made by councils rise tenfold in five years – Local Government Lawyer

‘The number of referrals of potential victims of modern slavery made by councils has soared tenfold in five years, the Local Government Association has warned.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 18th March 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Kingpin of North Wales drugs gangs sentenced – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted March 5th, 2019 in drug offences, drug trafficking, gangs, press releases, sentencing by tracey

‘The boss of a multi-million pound class A drug-smuggling operation, has been sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment.’

Full press reelase

Crown Prosecution Service, 1st March 2019

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Gang jailed for selling potentially lethal drugs on the dark web – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted January 21st, 2019 in drug trafficking, internet, news, sentencing by tracey

‘Three men who used the dark web to sell potentially lethal drugs to hundreds of customers across the UK and abroad have today (18 January) been jailed for a total of more than 43 years.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 18th January 2019

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Anti-drone technology could be introduced in English prisons – The Guardian

Posted December 19th, 2018 in aircraft, drug trafficking, news, prisons, telecommunications by sally

‘The government could introduce an anti-drone system to stop drug smuggling in English prisons after a successful six-month experiment in Guernsey prompted ministers to consider a U-turn about the technology.’

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The Guardian, 18th December 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Stephen Lawrence murder suspect claimed his notoriety meant he was unable to focus on drugs trial, court hears – Daily Telegraph

Posted December 7th, 2018 in conspiracy, drug offences, drug trafficking, murder, news, racism, sentencing by tracey

‘A man named as a suspect in the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence has been sentenced to nine years in prison for his part in a multi-million drugs plot, despite attempts by his defence counsel to use the controversy surrounding the killing as grounds for leniency.’

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Daily Telegraph, 7th December 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Teen jailed over friends’ Basshunter gig MDMA deaths – BBC News

Posted November 30th, 2018 in drug trafficking, news, sentencing, young offenders by sally

‘A teenager has been jailed for supplying the MDMA that killed two of his friends.’

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BBC News, 29th November 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Review of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 – Home Office

‘This review sought to measure changes in outcomes before and after the implementation of the Act, to provide an indication of whether its aims are being achieved.’

Full press release

Home Office, 19th November 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Poor healthcare in jails is killing inmates, says NHS watchdog – The Guardian

‘Almost half of England’s jails are providing inadequate medical care to inmates, whose health is being damaged by widespread failings, the NHS watchdog has told MPs in a scathing briefing leaked to the Observer.’

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The Guardian, 27th October 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Seven jailed over plot to fly drugs into UK prisons with drones – The Guardian

Posted October 29th, 2018 in aircraft, conspiracy, drug trafficking, news, prisons, sentencing by sally

‘Seven members of a gang that used drones to airlift £500,000 worth of drugs into prisons have been given jail terms ranging from three to 10 years.’

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The Guardian, 26th October 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Drug dealer jailed for trafficking vulnerable children in ‘county lines’ operation – The Independent

‘A man who trafficked three children, including a 14-year-old girl, to use as drug dealers in a “county lines” ring has been jailed for 14 years in a landmark prosecution.’

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The Independent, 4th October 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Cyprus-based drug dealer who got mum to run business jailed – BBC News

Posted September 4th, 2018 in conspiracy, drug trafficking, gangs, news, sentencing by sally

‘A Cyprus-based dealer who got his mother to run a £300,000 drug ring from the UK has been jailed.’

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BBC News, 3rd September 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Modern slavery law review as gangs ‘evolve’ – BBC News

‘The UK’s modern slavery legislation is to be reviewed as criminal gangs find new ways to exploit victims, the Home Office has announced.’

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BBC News, 30th July 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

One of Britain’s biggest drug dealers convicted of running £68m into UK – The Independent

Posted June 14th, 2018 in conspiracy, drug trafficking, news, sentencing by tracey

‘One of Britain’s biggest drugs dealers has been convicted for his part in running £68m of cocaine and cannabis into the UK.’

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The Independent, 14th June 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

New taskforce to take action against violent crime – Home Office

Posted April 27th, 2018 in crime prevention, drug trafficking, press releases, violence by tracey

‘Home Secretary announces membership of new cross-party taskforce to take action against violent crime.’

Full press release

Home Office, 25th April 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office