Mitcham man jailed for 8.5 years for forcing trafficked Romanian nationals to work in his car wash

"The trauma and ordeal the victims endured cannot be underestimated. They have shown remarkable strength throughout the investigation and played an essential role in providing evidence to ensure Magari is held accountable and receives the appropriate punishment for his crimes. I would like to thank the investigation team, who worked tirelessly to identify the victims, ensure their safety and help repatriate them to Romania, where they could be reunited with their friends and family."

"A business owner who trafficked Romanian nationals to the UK and forced them to live and work in his car wash has been jailed for 8.5 years. Hewa Magari, 45, from Mitcham, trafficked eight Romanian nationals to the UK between November and December 2020, including a 15-year-old boy."

Eight Romanian nationals, including a 15-year-old boy, were trafficked to the UK between November and December 2020 and forced to live and work at a car wash owned by Hewa Magari. Victims were lured with false promises of accommodation, fair pay, food and legitimate work, then confined to a small on-site room and later a shed during Covid lockdown. They suffered physical and psychological abuse and had travel documents confiscated. The 15-year-old contacted police, prompting a rescue that found seven adults and a minor living in cramped conditions. Magari was sentenced to eight years and six months; victims were repatriated to Romania.

Read at www.standard.co.uk