Man jailed for trafficking exploited sex worker

Zhaoqian Yu pleaded guilty to human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain

A man who first came to the attention of police as part of a money laundering investigation has been jailed for a string of offences including human trafficking.

Zhaoqian Yu, of Derryfield Court in Oldbury, Birmingham, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday where he was jailed for five years and 10 months.

The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to human trafficking, controlling prostitution for gain, conspiracy to import cannabis, and transferring criminal property.

DC Katie Andrews from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) said the further Yu was investigated, the more crimes they uncovered.

The investigation into Yu was first launched back in 2019, when SWROCU uncovered a money laundering network in Gloucester which he had links to.

Following further leads, they discovered Yu was involved in controlling prostitutes at a premises in Birmingham.

As part of his role running the brothel, he trafficked a sex worker from London to Birmingham while fully aware the woman was being exploited.

Yu illegally imported 119 kilos of cannabis into the UK, stuffed into pillowcases and sealed with packing tape

Between August 2018 and June 2019, Yu transferred £347,000 in cash to individuals living and working at a Chinese restaurant in Gloucester who were operating an underground banking service.

Yu was fully aware this money was the proceeds of crime, police said.

Between December 2018 and October 2021, Yu also conspired with others to illegally import 119 kilos of cannabis.

He was found to have personally arranged for 34 kilos of the class B drug to come into the UK, with the intention of passing it on to others.

Yu was arrested in February this year on arrival at Stanstead Airport from Dubai and has been remanded in custody since

DC Andrews said: "This has been an extremely complex case with a significant amount of material needing to be translated and reviewed.

"The further we looked into Mr Yu the more it led us down different avenues of investigation and unveiled an array of criminal activity.

"We will continue to pursue his co-conspirators and associates to ensure justice is served and our communities are protected from those who seek to exploit others and supply illegal drugs for financial gain."