August 6, 2020 4.50 pm This story is over 43 months old

Three men charged with modern slavery and drug dealing

Kids allegedly forced to sell drugs

By Local Democracy Reporter

A man from Grimsby has been charged alongside two others for modern slavery and drug dealing.

Five people were arrested on Tuesday morning after it was suspected that a gang were forcing children into modern slavery to deal drugs.

Jason Gladding, 30, of Frederick Street, Grimsby, has been charged with forcing a teenager and a vulnerable adult into compulsory labour.

He has also been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, and is due to appear at Grimsby Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Gladding was arrested on modern slavery charges along with two other men, Hazrat Shah, 32, from Bradford, and Andrew Fox, 34, from Leeds.

Two other people from Bradford, a 25-year-old and a 28-year-old, have been arrested for the same charges, but will be released on bail while investigations continue.

The gang were arrested on Tuesday, August 4 by Humberside Police’s regional organised crime team.

The arrests come as part of a Humberside Police-led operation to tackle modern day slavery. The next court hearing is on September 7.