Ukrainian immigrant guilty of pounds 5m gangmaster racket
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A UKRAINIAN asylum-seeker, who came to Britain penniless and with his shoes held together with elastic bands, was convicted yesterday of operating a pounds 5m "gangmaster" operation.
Victor Solomka is thought to have run one of the UK's largest illegal immigration rackets, supplying cheap labour mainly to fish factories in Scotland. At its peak, he was making more than pounds 13,000 a week and laundered the illegal profits through sham companies to avoid detection.
While more than 700 east European workers were put up in cramped accommodation, and threatened with violence if they complained, Solomka, 44, was living in a pounds 250,000 home in King's Lynn, Norfolk, and driving a Mercedes. He was found guilty yesterday by a jury at King's Lynn Crown Court of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of breaches of immigration law and money laundering, which each carry a 14-year jail term.
He will be sentenced next Friday. Crown prosecutors intend to apply to confiscate his assets.
Solomka arrived in Britain in 2000 on a lorry from Ukraine, where he had owned a successful sausage factory. He applied for asylum on the grounds of persecution from local political rivals who he claimed burnt down his house. He was granted leave to remain in May 2003.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments