Four members of a trafficking network jailed for a combined total of 23 years have been sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court after an investigation uncovered the sexual exploitation of 24 Thai women trafficked into the UK.
The investigation, led by the Metropolitan Police’s Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation Team, began in 2025 after welfare checks carried out by officers at brothels connected to a separate ongoing investigation. During those visits, officers spoke to Thai women who reported that their passports had been taken by a woman known to them only as “Freya” or “Freya Ice Queen”.
That intelligence led detectives to uncover a wider network of individuals suspected of controlling multiple brothels across London and Kent, the Met said.
How the trafficking network was jailed: the Woolwich Crown Court sentences
Achareeya Spurr, 49, of Saint David’s Square in the Isle of Dogs (E14), pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit human trafficking, conspiracy to control prostitution for gain, and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
Following a seven-week trial, three men were convicted: Chin Ping, 56, also of Saint David’s Square, E14; Ugur Sahin, 27, of Victoria Road in Cricklewood (NW4); and Sarunyoo Siriwan, 31, of Seagar Place in Deptford (SE8). They were found guilty of conspiracy to commit human trafficking, conspiracy to control prostitution for gain, acquiring, using or possessing criminal property, and facilitating a breach of UK immigration law by a non-UK national.
All four defendants were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 18 September:
- Achareeya Spurr: seven years and eight months
- Chin Ping: six years and nine months
- Sarunyoo Siriwan: four years and four months
- Ugur Sahin: four years
Each was also served with a Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order.
“A sophisticated criminal enterprise”
Detective Constable Kathryn Horne, from the Met’s Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation Team, said: “This was a sophisticated criminal enterprise that targeted women for financial gain, treating them as commodities to be bought, controlled and exploited.
“The defendants profited from the suffering of women who had travelled thousands of miles to the UK, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt, control and sexual exploitation.
“I would like to thank the victims for their courage throughout this investigation. Their accounts were crucial in bringing those responsible to justice.”
Brothels across London and Kent
The court heard how members of the organised crime group targeted Thai women and arranged for them to travel to the UK, often under the guise of legitimate visitor visas. Once in the country, the women were taken to brothels across London and Kent, where they were coerced into providing sexual services to repay alleged debts, often amounting to tens of thousands of pounds.
Victims’ passports were routinely confiscated and retained by members of the group as a means of control, leaving many women isolated and dependent on their exploiters, according to the Met.
Detectives also established that one victim had been smuggled into the UK from the Netherlands, concealed in the back of a vehicle after crossing the English Channel.
On 22 October 2025, officers from the Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation Team executed six warrants as part of a coordinated enforcement operation. Seven locations were searched, and officers seized £57,145 in cash, a cash-counting machine, designer watches and handbags, mobile phones, SIM cards, bank cards and the passports of three victims.
The investigation identified 26 brothels linked to the group, including two properties owned by one of the defendants. Through financial, digital and investigative enquiries, detectives were able to link suspects, victims and multiple brothels, evidencing the scale of the offending. Detectives identified 24 victims who arrived in the UK during 2025 and are believed to have been exploited by the network.
Support for victims
The Met said it worked closely with specialist partners throughout the investigation to ensure victims were safeguarded and offered support and advice. Officers established a reception centre where victims were able to access immediate support and guidance from partner organisations, including Justice and Care, which helps those at risk of or affected by sexual exploitation, modern slavery and human trafficking.
Debi Lloyd, Head of UK Counter-Trafficking Operations at Justice and Care, said: “First and foremost, this result is about the incredible courage of the victims who have come forward to share their story and engaged with a criminal justice process. After experiencing such significant trauma, this takes enormous strength.
“This case also shows what is possible when agencies work together around the individual, combining a determined law enforcement response with consistent, specialist support. No court result can undo the harm someone has experienced, and we know that recovery is rarely a straight line.
“But victims deserve to be heard, believed and supported to make their own choices, while those responsible for serious abuse and exploitation are held to account.”
Officers visited all 26 identified brothels as part of a safeguarding operation, although many victims had left the locations before police arrived.
If you have concerns about modern slavery or human trafficking, report it to police by calling 101, or dial 999 in an emergency. Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Reporting based on the Metropolitan Police news release.
