A documentary made by a team from the Al Jazeera news channel has led to the arrest of a car wash boss in the UK as part of an investigation into an organised crime network suspected of modern slavery offences.
KentOnline, a UK-based news network, quoted police superintendent Eddie Fox - who is overseeing the operation - as confirming that the raids were prompted by the documentary made by the Qatar-based news channel.
Officers raided Avion Elezi’s home in Harcourt Drive, Canterbury, yesterday morning - eight months after the documentary team uncovered alleged horrific working conditions at the chain of USA Car Washes he runs.
They carried out simultaneous raids at USA Car Washes in Chartham, Aylesford, Hersden and in Canterbury’s Broad Oak Road, KentOnline said .
Officers arrived at Elezi’s terraced home at 6am and removed him 30 minutes later.
A woman aged 21 in the property was taken away later. Police also arrested a 32-year-old man.
“We hadn’t known about this before the documentary – that started the investigation,” Supt Fox told KentOnline, recognising Al Jazeera’s role in the bust.
“Since then there has been a lot investigative work. There is concern that workers are being exploited and exposed to dangerous working conditions.
“This is an investigation by the police and partner agencies into modern slavery and human trafficking. Our priority absolutely is protecting vulnerable people.”
The Al Jazeera documentary centred on footage gathered by a Romanian national called Claudio who used secret camera equipment to film the conditions and treatment of staff at the car wash while he worked there for five months.
In one scene, a worker - unaware he is being filmed - says: “We are treated worse than slaves. At least the rats are free.”
Police have also taken more than 20 car wash employees to a reception centre to be interviewed. They believe that up to 15 people could be victims.
Supt Fox told KentOnline the investigation would proceed under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, but could involve a variety of potential offences.
“The fact that this came to us from a documentary shows that the information can come from any source.”
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