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Brothels and drugs gang ‘wiped out’
THE ringleader of a Paddington prostitution gang was arrested in Westminster Magistrates’ Court public gallery.
Jobless Virginijus Suchodolskis had been wanted by police investigating a sex-for-sale racket operating out of two brothels in Lancaster Gate and Westbourne Terrace.
He was spotted attending the initial hearing for six other gang members, later his co-defendants.
Suchodolskis, 32, pleaded guilty to controlling prostitutes and false imprisonment. He is due for sentence today (Friday).
Chief Supt Dyson said: “Prostitution rips apart the lives of numerous young girls, leaving many abused and mentally scarred. The harsh reality is that by being forced into this activity, they are often exposed to criminals and coerced into a life of drugs that they would not ordinarily choose. With all seven defendants pleading guilty, we have successfully wiped out an organised crime syndicate involved in prostitution and the sale of drugs in the heart of the capital.”
The racket was busted after a 16-year-old Lithuanian escaped their clutches and told police about the brothel. She provided crucial evidence about how she had been tricked into leaving her country, trafficked into the UK and sold to the gang, who forced her to be a prostitute.
She was later rescued and cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy, worth more than £100,000 at street value, was recovered as well as a loaded firearm. |
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