Enfield organised crime group jailed for trafficking vulnerable individuals into the UK for Modern Slavery

Three individuals have been sentenced to a total of 26 years in prison for their involvement in human trafficking, forced labour and money laundering in Enfield thanks to work by dedicated Met detectives. 

In January 2019, an investigation began to uncover the exploitation of vulnerable men and women dating back to 2012. The information received from Czech police indicated the involvement of a group suspected of working together in London, Cambridge and Bedford. This group targeted vulnerable individuals from the Czech Republic, exploiting them for financial gains. 

The court heard how they made up to £400,000 per year from their illegal activity. 

Met officers who were investigating reviewed 1,505 hours of CCTV footage from a house in Enfield to gather evidence as part of an intelligence-led operation.  

In line with the A New Met for London strategy the Met is committed to safeguarding vulnerable people in London. The Met is taking a proactive approach to tackling modern slavery by focusing on prevention, intervention and collaboration with partners, such as Justice and Care.

The Met is committed to identifying, disrupting and bringing to justice offenders who exploit people across the capital.  

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy from the Central Specialist Crime unit leading the investigation, said:  

“Our priority at the Met is to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking, targeting dangerous and exploitative offenders as we continue to transform how we protect vulnerable people from harm. 

 “Modern slavery offenders are cruel and seek to benefit from people who often have hopes and dreams for a better life, forcing them into bleak conditions and taking advantage of them.  

“By raising awareness, supporting victims and holding these criminals accountable, we can work towards eradicating modern slavery and human trafficking from our communities.” 

The investigation team found that the group was involved in forcing vulnerable adults into forced labour, domestic servitude and sex work.  

Promising jobs and accommodation in the UK, the group exploited their connections to entice victims who were transported via coach, aeroplane and car and taken to Durant's Road in Enfield. Once there some victims were made to work at fast-food chains in Caxton, Cambridgeshire or a pita bread bakery in Hoddesdon and Tottenham. 

The victims, who couldn’t speak English, were deceived into signing contracts that allowed their hard-earned wages go into the defendant’s bank accounts. This helped the defendants avoid following labour laws by making the victims work long hours of 10-12 hours a day without any breaks. Even though the victims were supposed to earn £300 per week, they only received a small amount between £10-50 as pocket money. On top of this, the victims were charged £150 per week for rent. 

As part of the operation, Met detectives safeguarded twelve victims and worked with Justice and Care and other partners to offer them support.  

Debi Lloyd, Head of UK Counter Trafficking Operation at Justice and Care said: 

“This has been a long running and complex case and it has been our privilege to support the survivors. 

“These men and women faced horrific exploitation that no human being should ever be put through, and the courage they have shown throughout the investigation amid incredibly difficult circumstances has been astounding. 

“We also applaud the tireless work of the police involved in this case. This sentencing shows how our navigators are essential in empowering survivors throughout the criminal justice process and enabling investigation teams to build strong cases”. 

On Friday, 4 October 2024 all three defendants were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court, as follows:

Zdenek Drevenak, 38 (14.06.86) of Crane Street, Huntingdon was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.

Jiri Cernohous, 49 (28.02.75) of Spenser Road, Bedford was sentenced to nine years imprisonment.

Martin Slovjak, 46 (02.11.77) of Cambridge Road, Croxton was sentenced to four years imprisonment.