AN ARREST has been made following a police raid at an illegal brothel in Southampton as part of an investigation into human trafficking. 

Police swooped on a Southampton property today in an operation to smash a human trafficking gang linked to Romania. 

It comes as warrants were also carried out across Leeds, Birmingham, Reading and Oldham by other police forces. 

Two men and two woman have been arrested overall on suspicion of human trafficking and money laundering. 

One was arrested in Birmingham and another two in Reading. 

Read more: What we know so far as police raid brothel in Southampton

More than five thousand pounds worth of cash was also seized along with several mobile phones.  

Wiltshire Police led the investigation, which is described as a "major international operation" to crack down on the gang that operates across Europe. 

Detective Inspector Angela Shipp said: "These illegal organised gangs operate all over the world - they know no boundaries - and cause misery to countless victims who are often enslaved, have to live in often horrendous conditions with no quality of life, and are forced into sexual exploitation to survive.  

"The victims we rescued today were engaged with and are now being looked after by specially trained officers. 

"Thanks to our joined up work with our partners here and abroad, today's operation has been a success as we manage to arrest four people on suspicion of modern slavery crimes."

All those arrested have been taken to either Gablecross Police Station in Swindon or Melksham Police Station to be interviewed.

Read more: Hampshire police officer accused of raping woman he met on Bumble

Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson added: “Slavery didn’t die out with its abolishment in earlier centuries, it has just found different ways to exist and exploit vulnerable victims.

"A person’s freedom and right-to-life are the most basic human rights and ones which must be robustly defended and this proactive policing operation has shown gangmasters and their enforcers there is nowhere to hide.”

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