Organised Crime Group who ran brothels and drugs ring jailed
28 October 2019, 13:19
An Organised Crime Group who made millions of pounds through brothels have been jailed for almost 40 years.
A trial for the defendants started at Harrow Crown Court on 5 September 2019. A number pleaded guilty during the trial, the rest continued to deny the offences but were convicted at the conclusion of the trial on Monday, 21 October.
The gang were jailed after an investigation by the Met Police Specialist Crime Command. The gang were operating a "sophisticated network of brothels" according to police which they used to sell drugs and control prostitutes.
Detectives estimated they were making more than £1 million per year.
The investigation found the group employed and armed security guards and maintained control over all communication between their so-called employees.
One victim told police she was forced to work in the brothels over a period of two months. The gang tracked her movements via CCTV and even threatened to have her family in Brazil killed if she attempted to leave.
In April 2017 the victim escaped and sought help from police.
On 23 May 2018 detectives conducted raids at Cricklewood Broadway and Kenton Court. They arrested Anotonio Teca Miranda.
Further raids were conducted on 6 February 2019 and led to the arrest of Renato Dimitrov Sacchi, Flavia Xavier-Sacchi, Raul Sacchi, Maria Jose Carvalho, Keagan Boyd, Tony Simao, Henim Almeida and Anna Paula De Almeida Prudente.
During the search of the home address of Renato and Flavia Sacchi on 6 February 2019, fifteen packs of cash were found. Also found was a quantity of cash totalling around £50,000, two Tasers and a CS gas canister.
Throughout the investigation, detectives examined mobile phones seized from the group. They found charts showing the structure of the OCG with distinct roles of “leadership”, “security” and “operator." Raul Sacchi described this in correspondence as the “hierarchic flowchart."
The Met said they identified senior level of management within the OCG made up of Renato Sacchi, Raul Sacchi, and Flavia Sacchi.
The three senior gang members were in charge of the brothels, and police said they enjoyed "lavish lifestyles and spent the proceeds made from the exploitation of sex workers on luxury holidays, vehicles and jewellery."
The remaining members were employed as brothel maids and security guards.
Detective Inspector Dan Mitchell from Central Specialist Crime said: “This lengthy and complex investigation has dismantled an Organised Crime Group who were exploiting women across London for their own financial gain.
“Through thorough examination of their devices, detectives found the group saw themselves as a legitimate business which they went to extreme lengths to protect. They employed and armed security guards, and maintained control over all communication between their so-called employees.
“Individuals often are reticent or too afraid to come forward in modern slavery investigations, so it is our job to build a prosecution and dismantle OCGs like this with whatever evidence we can. Detectives spent months using a range of tactics to build a case against this group of criminals, taking an evidence-led approach, to ensure they were convicted and brought to justice. Anyone considering exploiting other human beings for financial gain should expect to face the same level of expert investigation and prosecution.”
Full list of gang members and sentences
Renato Dimitrov Sacchi, 43 of Southbourne Crescent, NW4 originally denied the following offences but pleaded guilty during the trial: Conspiracy to control prostitution for gain, two counts of controlling prostitution for gain, being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of criminal property.
He was sentenced to eight years and 11 months’ imprisonment.
Flavia Xavier-Sacchi, 23 of Southbourne Crescent, NW4 originally denied the following offences but pleaded guilty part-way through trial: Conspiracy to control prostitution for gain, and two counts of controlling prostitution for gain.
At the conclusion of the trial she was convicted of possession of criminal properly, and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
She was sentenced to eight years and seven months’ imprisonment.
Raul Sacchi, 49 of Dean Street, W1 was convicted of the following after trial: Conspiracy to control prostitution for gain, two counts of controlling prostitution for gain, and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
He was sentenced to nine years and six months’ imprisonment.
Keagan Boyd 34 of no fixed address denied one count of possession of a taser, which is a prohibited weapon but pleaded guilty during the trial and was convicted of one count of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs following trial.
He was sentenced to two years and two months’ imprisonment.
Henim Almeida, 25 (01.03.1994) of no fixed address was convicted of the following after trial: Controlling prostitution for gain, two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon, being concerned in the supply of Class A drug, and possession of criminal property.
He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
Maria Jose Carvalho, 43 of Church Lane, NW9 pleaded guilty to: Controlling prostitution for gain, possession of Class A drugs and possession of criminal property.
She was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
Anna Paula De Almeida Prudente, 21, of Princess Avenue, NW9 pleaded guilty to: Controlling prostitution for gain and possession of criminal property
She was sentenced to one year and two months’ imprisonment.
Antonio Teca Miranda, 34 of Grampian House, North Mall, N9 pleaded guilty to: Conspiracy to control prostitution for gain, being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, and possession of criminal property
He was sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment.
Tony Simao, 42 of Yarnfield Square, SE15 was convicted of the following after trial: Being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possession of two tasers, which are prohibited weapon.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
