Gang guilty of trafficking women to work in brothels

Three people have been jailed for their involvement in a sex trafficking gang operating in Glasgow, Edinburgh and other parts of the UK.

Qin Huang, 31, Guolei Huang, 25, and Xiao Min, 38, were arrested and charged as part of Operation Fasthold, a joint investigation by Police Scotland and the Home Office.

Several women, mainly from East Asia, were exploited for the provision of sexual services between December 2018 and September 2021.

First-time offenders now face long prison sentences for their role in the gang.

Qin Huang and Xiao Min pleaded guilty to a charge under the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act, which prosecutors said included “aiding and abetting prostitution.”

And Guolei Huang admitted being accused of being involved in running a brothel in two flats in Glasgow.

Judge Lady Poole remanded all three men in custody pending sentencing next month.

Prosecutor Greg Farrell told the High Court in Glasgow: “Police uncovered a sophisticated and significant criminal network which organised, recruited and facilitated prostitution.

“It also involved the transportation and accommodation of women working as prostitutes.”

Mr Farrell said the gang made “significant financial income” through false identities to rent flats used as brothels.

The court heard that £200,000 was spent on adverts on adult website Viva Street by a so-called “commercial agency” company.

Mr Farrell told the court: “There is no evidence to suggest that any of the three funded these projects.”

“Chinese brothel”

He said Qin Huang was involved in the “day-to-day management” of the women and sex properties for sale and also helped organize the online advertisements.

Guolei Huang was a “caretaker” while Xiao Min had a “supervisor” role in leasing the properties.

In February 2020, police became aware that a flat in Dennistoun, Glasgow, was being run as what was described as a “Chinese brothel”.

Police raided a few months later and Guolei Huang was there with one of the trafficked women.

“It had been equipped and fitted out for the provision of sexual services,” Mr Farrell said.

“This meant having a bed with towels on it and a side table with condoms, wipes and baby oil.”

Three other brothels were discovered in the Garnethill, Dennistoun and Port Dundas areas, and another in Edinburgh's Old Town.

In May 2021, Qin Huang was then found to be operating from new premises for “sexual exploitation” in Glasgow Townhead.

Another apartment for sale for sex has been discovered in Kelvinbridge.

The court heard of five women brought to the UK by the gang.

Two were in debt in China, another was “recruited” after being approached in a casino.

A fourth woman had her passport taken away before being helped to “establish herself” as a sex worker.

And a fifth woman said she arrived in England in 2019 and worked there “illegally” before being “recommended” to go to Scotland.

Detective Inspector Mark Dines said: “Human trafficking is a despicable crime which has an immeasurable long-term impact on its victims.

“We are committed to working with our partners to conduct thorough investigations, identify those responsible and protect vulnerable victims.”

He added that the force had worked with the Home Office's Criminal and Financial Investigation Team as well as officers from the Metropolitan Police and Cambridgeshire Police during the investigation.