Thai women trafficking gang jailed in London brothel case

Four people have been jailed after a trafficking network brought 24 Thai women to Britain and forced them to work in brothels across London and Kent, Metropolitan Police said.

Woolwich Crown Court imposed sentences totalling nearly 23 years on Friday, September 18, following an investigation into a group police said controlled 26 brothels.

Thai women trapped by alleged debts

Detectives believe all 24 women arrived in Britain last year, mostly using what appeared to be ordinary visitor visas. Police said they were told they owed tens of thousands of pounds, while their passports were taken away.

The women were then isolated and made dependent on their exploiters before being taken to brothels and pressured to work off the alleged debts, police said.

One woman was smuggled into Britain from the Netherlands, hidden in the rear of a vehicle after it crossed the Channel.

Welfare checks led police to wider network

The investigation began last year when officers carrying out welfare checks at brothels connected to a separate inquiry spoke with Thai women. They told police that a woman known to them as Freya, or Freya Ice Queen, had taken their passports.

This led detectives to what they described as a wider group operating brothels in London and Kent. Police linked 26 premises to the network, including two owned by one of the defendants, and visited each address in an effort to safeguard victims.

However, many of the women had already left by the time officers arrived.

Picture courtesy of Metropolitan Police

On October 22 last year, officers searched seven addresses under six warrants. They seized GBP57,145 in cash, a cash-counting machine, designer watches and handbags, as well as the passports of three women.

Sentences and post-release restrictions

Achareeya Spurr, 49, from east London, received the longest sentence of seven years and eight months. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic people, controlling prostitution for gain and handling criminal property.

Chin Ping, 56, also from east London, was jailed for six years and nine months. Sarunyoo Siriwan, 31, from south-east London, received four years and four months, while Ugur Sahin, 27, from north-west London, was jailed for four years.

The three men were convicted after a seven-week trial of the same three offences, as well as helping a non-UK national breach immigration law. All four were also given Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Orders restricting their activities after release.

A Metropolitan Police detective said the group treated women as commodities and profited from the suffering of women who had travelled thousands of miles before becoming trapped in debt. Police set up a reception centre to provide immediate advice and support, while Justice and Care's Debi Lloyd said the result depended on the courage of women who came forward after severe trauma.

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21 September 2026