A husband and wife suspected of exploiting vulnerable students and supplying them to six care homes have been arrested following a raid by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).

The 31-year-old British-Indian man and 29-year-old woman, an Indian national, were taken into custody after a warrant was executed at their home address in Abergele on the morning of Thursday December 16.

Two addresses in the Colwyn Bay area were searched by the GLAA at the same time, and nine Indian students were identified as potential victims of modern slavery and labour abuse.

GLAA officers found the workers sleeping on mattresses on the floor in cramped, cold and unsanitary conditions, with one of the addresses having a fire hazard.

The potential victims were all transported to a nearby reception centre to receive specialist support and the opportunity to enter the government’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM).

They have since decided to return to their homes but with safeguarding packages put in place, consisting of food parcels being delivered to them and enhanced security being provided at their addresses, which have also been red-flagged to North Wales Police.

A further five potential victims, also Indian nationals on student visas, were identified within the community and are receiving the same support.

The suspects, both registered nurses who run a recruitment agency, were interviewed by the GLAA on suspicion of offences under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, before being released under investigation.
All the care homes that have used workers supplied by the agency have been notified, as have the families of the residents living in the six facilities.

The GLAA has been working with Care Inspectorate Wales  and the relevant local authorities in relation to this. The local authorities are providing support to the care homes and individuals affected.