A VIOLENT and controlling man has been sentenced for modern day slavery offences after he coerced another man to run a large-scale cannabis factory in Rugby.
Dung Nguyen, 31, of Chesterfield in Derbyshire, was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court to three years and seven months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to holding a person in slavery or servitude, being concerned in the production of cannabis, and fraud by false representation.
The Vietnamese national will also be subject to a Deportation Order.
Between March and July 2024, Nguyen used fraudulent documents to secure a tenancy at an address in Manor Road.
He then recruited a man in his 20s to live there and tend to the large-scale cannabis factory that had been set up.
Nguyen used violence against the victim and threats to his family to maintain control over him over a period of several months, until the victim eventually sought support from a member of the public, who then reported it to police.
Following a police investigation, Nguyen was arrested and charged in April.
Police seized varying classifications of drugs and evidence of fraudulent documents during raids in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and West Yorkshire.
Following the court hearing, DCI Dave Andrews said: “Our officers worked tirelessly on this protracted investigation which demonstrated the complex nature of this type of offending.
“This result is Warwickshire Police’s first Human Trafficking conviction for several years and is a testament to the passion and dedication of our officers.
“Nguyen’s crimes not only caused harm in Rugby, but also elsewhere in the UK and overseas. His conviction should be a clear message that criminal exploitation will not be tolerated in Warwickshire and we will continue to work with our partners to disrupt this type of criminality.
“The victim received ongoing support from specialist services to aid them in their recovery.”
DI Vicki Newton said: “We know that modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation continue to impact communities in Warwickshire, and our Trafficking and Exploitation team will continue to work in partnership to combat these threats and support those individuals affected by them.
“We cannot do this work without the support of our communities. If members of the public have any concerns regarding modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation, please report them to us.
“Specialist support for victims is available in Warwickshire.”
