Marin Grigore, 29, of Tudor Road, Bristol, has been sentenced for operating a human trafficking and prostitution ring. Along with his wife Mirela Mincu and brother-in-law Alexandru Dita, Grigore trafficked women from abroad and forced them to sell sex from rented homes in Easton, Bristol, and other locations across the South West.
The illegal operation was uncovered following a roadside stop by PC Matt Boiles on Broad Weir in the early hours of 28 July last year. The officer stopped Grigore and Alexandru Dita on suspicion of uninsured driving. During the stop, PC Boiles found a 19-year-old woman in nightwear sitting in the back of the BMW with a suitcase, which raised immediate concerns.
Police checks revealed that Alexandru Dita had previous convictions for human trafficking. Both men were arrested. The woman later informed officers that Grigore had arranged for her to travel from Germany to the UK to work as a sex worker under false pretences.
Following the arrests, officers raided a property on Bloy Street, Bristol, which was registered as Grigore’s home. Inside, they found his wife Mirela Mincu, sister-in-law Adriana Dita, and three women who admitted to working as sex workers. Evidence indicated the house was being used as a brothel.
Further investigations uncovered advertisements online and in Romanian classified publications promoting sexual services using Mirela Mincu’s email and phone number. A second property on Tudor Road, rented by Grigore, was also found to house sex workers.
Financial investigations revealed that over £100,000 had passed through accounts linked to Mincu, Alexandru Dita, Grigore, and Adriana Dita within a 12-month period. None of the defendants could explain the source of the funds, except Grigore, who claimed to earn £50 a day cleaning cars.
Marin Grigore was sentenced to 21 months in prison for controlling prostitution, trafficking, and handling criminal property. Alexandru Dita, 30, received a two-year sentence for controlling prostitution and possessing criminal property. Mirela Mincu, 32, was given a 23-month suspended sentence, a three-month curfew, and 100 hours of unpaid work. Adriana Dita, 26, received a 12-month community order and 50 hours of unpaid work.
Detective Inspector Mark Newbury praised the role of the roads policing officer who made the initial stop. He said, “One of our roads policing officers saw beyond a simple traffic stop and helped dismantle a prostitution ring exploiting vulnerable women. While we found no evidence of forced prostitution, one woman was clearly coerced and manipulated by Grigore, who promised a relationship but exploited her instead.”
DI Newbury added, “Grigore and Alexandru Dita led the operation, raking in huge sums from women’s sexual services. Mincu coordinated appointments through messages and online adverts. We’re committed to stripping these criminals of their illegal gains under the Proceeds of Crime Act.”
The detective inspector also confirmed that specialist officers offered support to the women found in the car and at the properties. “This case shows our dedication to protecting vulnerable people and bringing exploiters to justice,” he said.
Originally published by UKNIP.
