The Czech National Centre for Organized Crime (NCOZ) has charged seven people—five men and two women—in connection with a long-running case of human trafficking for labor exploitation. Six suspects remain in custody.
Investigators say the group exploited vulnerable individuals in and around the town of Štětí, beginning as early as 2013. The victims reportedly came from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
According to police, the suspects forced victims to carry out hard manual labor, including waste sorting and property maintenance, without proper pay. Officers say the group maintained control through psychological pressure and physical violence.
During the operation, police searched six homes and one additional property. They estimate the suspects earned several million crowns through the scheme.
The Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Ústí nad Labem is overseeing the case.
The investigation, code-named MOGUL, involved support from the Rapid Response Unit and the regional police department. NCOZ urges anyone who may have been exploited in the Štětí area to contact police at 721 500 866.
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