Leader of sex trafficking group with Smethwick and Birmingham members jailed

The organiser of a criminal group that brought women from Romania into the UK to work in the sex industry has been jailed for more than eight years, in a case that included members of the group from Smethwick and Birmingham.

George Filip, 45, was described in court as the "architect and organiser" of the group, which was responsible for the "prostitution" of at least 16 victims and earned hundreds of thousands of pounds. He was sentenced to eight years and two months at Cardiff Crown Court.

A seven-year operation

The court heard that between June 2015 and October 2022, at least 16 women were brought to the UK from Romania and France to work in the sex industry, at locations in Wales, England and Scotland, including Stoke-on-Trent and near Alton Towers.

Judge Francis described it as a "substantial and sophisticated criminal enterprise that operated over seven years". The court heard the women had not been brought under duress, but that some had been "pressured to commit sexual acts they had not agreed to which had caused them considerable distress".

"Exploitation may exist even when there is an apparent degree of consent," the judge said.

The sentences

Ionela Filip, 35, of Smethwick, George Filip's wife, was described as second-in-command but was not involved in trafficking women. She was given a three-year suspended sentence.

Leonard Banica, 41, from Romania, who introduced sex workers to the enterprise, was jailed for three years and nine months. Alexandru Moco, 27, of Birmingham, who took women to appointments, was jailed for one year and three months.

George Filip, Banica and Moco will be deported when released. A hearing to recover the proceeds of the crimes will take place in 2027.

Brought back to face justice

The operation came to light when police raided a property in Newport in January 2020, following complaints from neighbours, and examined a mobile phone used to run the business. Three of the group later fled the country but were arrested when they returned.

Detective Superintendent Robin Fuller said it was a "complex investigation that involved meticulous enquiries, evidence gathering and partnership working".

"During the investigation three of the offenders all fled the country to try and evade justice. However, we worked with our criminal justice partners internationally to bring them back to be held accountable for their crimes," he said.

Louisa Robertson, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "This group ran a trafficking operation, exploiting women from other European countries. Their actions were abhorrent, treating human beings as commodities."

Report concerns

Anyone with concerns that someone is being exploited can contact the police, or the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700, which is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day.