Four members of a sex trafficking network have been jailed for a combined 23 years after a Met Police investigation uncovered the sexual exploitation of 24 Thai women across London and Kent.

The investigation, led by the Met’s Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation Team began in 2025, when officers carried out welfare checks at brothels linked to a separate inquiry.

Several Thai women told police their passports had been taken by a woman known as “Freya” or “Freya Ice Queen”. Their accounts led detectives to investigate a wider organised crime group suspected of controlling brothels across the two areas.

After arriving, the women were taken to brothels and forced to provide sexual services to repay debts allegedly amounting to tens of thousands of pounds.

Detectives said members of the group routinely confiscated the women’s passports, leaving them isolated and dependent on their exploiters.

In one case, a woman was smuggled into the UK from the Netherlands, concealed in the back of a vehicle after crossing the English Channel.

Achareeya Spurr, 49, of Saint David's Square, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit human trafficking, conspiracy to control prostitution for gain and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.

Chin Ping, 56, of Saint David's Square, Ugur Sahin, 27, of Victoria Road and Sarunyoo Siriwan, 3, of Seagar Place were found guilty of conspiracy to commit human trafficking, conspiracy to control prostitution for gain, acquiring, using or possessing criminal property, and facilitating a breach of UK immigration law by a non-UK national.

The four defendants were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday to a combined 23 years in prison.

Achareeya Spurr was jailed for seven years and eight months; Chin Ping was jailed for six years and nine months; Sarunyoo Siriwan was jailed for four years and four months and Ugur Sahin was jailed for four years.

They were all also served with Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Orders.

Detective Constable Kathryn Horne, from the Met's Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation Team, said: "This was a sophisticated criminal enterprise that targeted women for financial gain, treating them as commodities to be bought, controlled and exploited.

"The defendants profited from the suffering of women who had travelled thousands of miles to the UK, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt, control and sexual exploitation.

"I would like to thank the victims for their courage throughout this investigation. Their accounts were crucial in bringing those responsible to justice."

On October 22, 2025, officers from the Met's Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation Team carried out six warrants as part of a coordinated enforcement operation.

Officers searched seven locations and seized £57,145 in cash, a cash-counting machine, designer watches and handbags, mobile phones, SIM cards, bank cards and the passports of three victims.

The investigation identified 26 brothels linked to the group, including two properties owned by one of the defendants.

Through extensive financial, digital and investigative enquiries, detectives were able to identify links between suspects, victims and multiple brothels, helping to evidence the scale of the offending.

Detectives identified 24 victims who arrived in the UK during 2025 and are believed to have been exploited by the network.

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.”

Officers visited all 26 identified brothels as part of a safeguarding operation, however, many victims had left the locations before police arrived.

If you have concerns about modern slavery or human trafficking, report it to police by calling 101, or in an emergency dial 999. Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.