Vietnamese crime gangs have been involved in human trafficking and the operation of large scale cannabis farms across Scotland for almost 20 years. Their victims are smuggled into the UK from the south east asian country with the promise of a new life and then forced to work on the farms which generate millions for the criminals.
They then remain trapped there unable to leave or return home. Most of the farms operate out of rented flats or houses with the owners usually unaware of what is happening.
One of the most exploited groups are young people. Earlier this month the Daily Record revealed how scores of Vietnamese children have been trafficked north of the border and then sexually abused in the last seven years.
We reported how Police Scotland have received 342 referrals since 2020 of cases where youngsters from the south east asia country have been kept in slavery. Thirty one involve children being sexually exploited, usually through prostitution or escort work.
Trafficked young people are often made to work in flats or “pop up” brothels providing sexual services. The figures released under Freedom of Information showed that most child trafficking cases since 2020 were in Edinburgh with 74, Glasgow with 72 and Ayrshire with 49.
In the first six months of this year there were 19 child trafficking cases recorded with three linked to sexual exploitation. The young people can be forced to work in cannabis farms, nail bars and car washes.
Some are made to work for adult Vietnamese who have been smuggled into the country cooking and cleaning. As well as sex work trafficked children often end up working illegally in the hospitality industry in kitchens.
Others can be made to work in the construction industry or for removal or logistics firms. Those forced to work in cannabis farms are normally held there unable to leave while they grow the plants.
Trafficked children in Scotland can also be made to work on fishing boats or in remote hospitality locations. In the article modern slavery expert Kieran Walsh, who has previously worked with the Salvation Army said:”The trafficking of Vietnamese people both children and adults has been going on for a considerable time as evidenced by your figures.
“Vietnamese organised crime groups can be quite ruthless in how they carry out their activities in trafficking children for illegal and immoral purposes, Either through forced labour or sexual exploitation.”
While Karen Miller of the anti slavery charity Restore Glasgow commented: “We are horrified to see these latest figures. As a Glasgow-based anti-trafficking charity we are naturally aware that trafficking happens under our noses all the time, but it’s still shocking to contemplate the figures when you remember that each of these numbers is a frightened, exploited child.
“Vietnam is one of the top two source countries for victims of trafficking in the UK, supplying unwilling workers to the ubiquitous dodgy nail bars and the cannabis industry. Cynical trafficking gangs will recruit people from rural areas including children, because they lack the education and street smarts to understand the danger of these “job offers”.
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