A criminal network responsible for the sexual exploitation of 24 Thai women trafficked into the UK has been sentenced to a total of 23 years in prison.  

The Metropolitan Police Service’s Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation Team began investigating the network in 2025, following welfare checks at a brothel linked to another investigation. During these visits, officers discovered that Thai women working at the brothel had had their passports confiscated by a woman known as “Freya” or “Freya Ice Queen”.  

Further investigation uncovered a wider network of individuals suspected of controlling multiple brothels across London and Kent.  

On Friday 18 September, four defendants were sentenced for their involvement:  

Achareeya Spurr: seven years and eight months   

Chin Ping: six years and nine months   

Sarunyoo Siriwan: four years and four months   

Ugur Sahin: four years   

All four were also issued with Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Orders.  

The organised crime group targeted Thai women, arranging for them to travel to the UK, often using visitor visas. Once in the UK, the women were transported to brothels across London and Kent and forced into providing sexual services to repay alleged debts, which could amount to tens of thousands of pounds.  

Members of the group confiscated the women’s passports as a means of control, leaving them isolated and dependent on their exploiters.  

Detectives also found that one victim had been smuggled into the UK from the Netherlands, concealed in the back of a vehicle after crossing the English Channel.  

The Metropolitan Police worked alongside specialist partners, including Justice & Care, to safeguard the women and ensure they could access specialist support and advice.  

Debi Lloyd, Head of UK Counter-Trafficking Operations, Justice & Care, said:  

“First and foremost, this result is about the incredible courage of the victims who have come forward to share their story and engaged with a criminal justice process. After experiencing such significant trauma, this takes enormous strength.  

“This case also shows what is possible when agencies work together around the individual, combining a determined law enforcement response with consistent, specialist support. No court result can undo the harm someone has experienced, and we know that recovery is rarely a straight line.  

“But victims deserve to be heard, believed and supported to make their own choices, while those responsible for serious abuse and exploitation are held to account.  

“I am incredibly proud of the partnership working that helped make this result possible, and above all, I want to recognise the bravery of the victims at the heart of this case.”