In Essonne, several people were questioned on suspicion of modern slavery and human trafficking after the discovery of a strange room under a bar.
It is an atrocious story traced by our colleagues from Parisian. In an ordinary bar located in Essonne, a search took place on Saturday April 29. An investigation was then opened to “human trafficking committed in exchange for remuneration or other advantage“. Three employees were interviewed. Indeed, a 62-year-old man of African origin used to open the business in the morning.
Since 2011, this man has been saying “stay in the basement, in a very cramped cellar with no window”. Indeed, during the search, the police discovered this room. Having only cold water, the man would be “very underpaid”. In the neighborhood, customers are outraged. “He’s a discreet man, he speaks French very well, understands everything, but he’s not the type to complain“, says a trader. “It does not surprise me, this shopping center is the court of miracles”, loose a local resident. The Committee Against Modern Slavery sis also seized of the case and indicates that this specific case represents the “majority of business” of modern slavery. “The most vulnerable workers find themselves at the mercy of abusive employers, on whom they depend for their food, clothing, shelter, sometimes their care or their identity documents”.
An investigation is open
During their search, the police also discovered computers and cash. “It’s weird, the basement door was always monitored by cameras, there was something to protect”, confides a regular tobacco customer. “These computers are going to be appraised. They could be used to launder the money from various bitcoin trafficking. In this type of business, the money is often paid abroad before being used to buy drugs or drugs. weapons on the darknet, or transferred back incognito to traffickers via systems that are difficult to trace”.
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Police
Three employees were interviewed. Indeed, a 62-year-old man of African origin used to open the business in the morning.
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Police
Since 2011, this man claims to “stay in the basement, in a very cramped cellar with no window”. Indeed, during the search, the police discovered this room.
© Unsplash
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Police
Having only cold water, the man would be “very underpaid”. In the neighborhood, customers are outraged. “He’s a discreet man, he speaks French very well, understands everything, but he’s not the type to complain,” says a shopkeeper.
© Unsplash
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Police
The Committee against Modern Slavery has also taken up the case and indicates that this specific case represents the “majority of cases” of modern slavery. “The most vulnerable workers find themselves at the mercy of abusive employers, on whom they depend for their food, clothing, shelter, sometimes their care or their identity documents”.
© Unsplash
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Police
During their search, the police also discovered computers and cash. “It’s weird, the basement door was always monitored by cameras, there was something to protect,” says a regular tobacco customer.