Human trafficking gang jailed after running 'sex flats' in Glasgow

A string of East Asian women were exploited by the mob

Published 25th Jun 2024

Three people involved in lucrative sex-for-sale flats where women had been trafficked to work have been jailed for a total of more than 20 years.

Xiao Min, 38, Qin Huang, 31, Guolei Huang, 35, were snared as part of the joint Police Scotland and Home Office probe Operation Fasthold.

A string of women - mainly from East Asia - were exploited by a sophisticated crime mob to provide sexual services in Glasgow, Edinburgh and throughout the UK.

The trio were today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

Min was jailed for eight and a half years after he earlier pleaded guilty to a charge under the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act which included the "aiding and abetting of prostitution".

Qin Huang was sentenced to eight years after she admitted to the same crime.

The charge spanned between December 2018 and September 2021.

Guolei Huang was locked up for four years and three months. He had previously pleaded guilty to being involved in the management of a brothel at three of the flats.

Lady Poole stated: "Brothel keeping and trafficking women for prostitution involves the deliberate degrading of fellow human beings.

"Prostitution is a de-humanising experience. Women often end up being deprived of the ability to act in their own interests.

"They are valued not as people, but as a potential source of profit.

"When such offences do come to light, it is the practice of the courts to impose substantial sentences.

"The participation of all three of you played an important and significant role of the operation of the criminal network operating in Scotland."

Qin Huang sobbed heavily as she was lead handcuffed to the cells. Guolei Huang shouted loudly in his native language as went downstairs.

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