Four men have been charged with human trafficking after 29 Vietnamese nationals were found in a van in England.
Devon police stopped the van Friday morning (local time) following reports that a group of people were getting into the back of the vehicle after arriving on a boat.
A spokesman for Devon Children and Families Partnership told the Guardian that the people, including children, are receiving temporary care and accommodation as the U.K. government considers the next steps.
On Sunday, four Englishmen aged 55-72 were charged with human trafficking and assisting illegal immigration. They were scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Human trafficking is a colossal industry with annual revenues of $150 billion, affecting over 40 million women, children, and men, forcing them into forced labor and sexual exploitation.
Citizens of the Asia-Pacific region have twice the chance of becoming enslaved compared to a developed country, according to a report by the International Labor Organization.
Vietnam, in particular, is a major source of cross-border sex and labor trafficking.
Source: Vnexpress