A man living in Merseyside has been charged in a nationwide sexual exploitation and human trafficking investigation.
Lancashire Police has revealed that six men and a woman have all been charged as part of the force's East Exploitation Team's investigation which targets sexual exploitation and human trafficking across the country. The operation was launched at the start of September after concerns were raised about sexual services being advertised online.
Initially, a search warrant was executed at a property in Blackburn which led to further searches and arrests at properties in St Helens, Accrington, Hertfordshire and London. As a result, a number of women have been safeguarded and mobile phones have been seized for analysis.
READ MORE: Police officer accused of punching girl, 2, and hitting her with door during raid
On Tuesday, October 11, a 47-year-old man from Accrington, was arrested on suspicion of keeping a brothel. After consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Hongli Yi, 47, of Whalley Road, Accrington, was charged with controlling prostitution. He appeared in Blackburn Magistrates' Court yesterday morning and was remanded back into custody.
Those who have also been charged with human trafficking and controlling prostitution and remanded into custody are:
Shi Guang Zhong - 07/08/1983 – St Bees Close, St Helens
Wanchun Zang - 31/01/1965 – no fixed address
Xinghai Zhou - 21/10/1972 - Etchingham Road, London
Yi Chen Cheng - 11/07/1962 - no fixed address
Philip Kee - 12/07/1977 - Haseldine Road, London Colney, St. Albans, Hertfordshire
Li Neng Leong - 09/10/1984 - Haseldine Road, London Colney, St. Albans, Hertfordshire.
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