Ion Rudacan, also known as Ion Paun, found himself ensnared in the legal proceedings associated with Operation Elba, an enforcement effort spearheaded by Greater Manchester Police targeting the trafficking of women for the purposes of engaging in sex work in the northern region of the United Kingdom.
Notably, despite having been incarcerated and deported, this 36-year-old individual demonstrated remarkable tenacity in his endeavors to re-enter the United Kingdom. Employing fraudulent identification, he clandestinely gained entry into the UK and left a digital trail, evidenced by his car rental activities in Brighton in July. However, these illicit machinations did not go unnoticed, as officers from Sussex Police's Tactical Firearms Unit, during their routine patrol along Marine Parade in Brighton on September 4, took proactive measures and apprehended Rudacan.
In a subsequent legal proceeding at Lewes Crown Court on October 10, Ion Rudacan admitted to a litany of charges, including three breaches of a Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order, contravening a Deportation Order, three additional attempted breaches of said Deportation Order, and the act of securing leave to enter or reside within the UK through fraudulent means.
The court, in response to these offenses, meted out a six-year prison sentence to Rudacan, who, incidentally, maintained no fixed address during this period.
Rudacan's criminal history stems from his involvement in Operation Elba, where he had been convicted for orchestrating prostitution for pecuniary gain and transgressing human trafficking statutes within the Manchester area. Consequently, in November 2021, he received a prison sentence of two years and three months, concomitant with a Deportation Order, which was executed on January 27, 2022. Furthermore, a Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order, spanning ten years, was imposed upon him, delineating restrictions on vehicle ownership, leasing, or possession within the UK without due notification to the authorities, and circumscribing the use of devices like mobile phones.
Significantly, it came to light that Rudacan had sought re-entry into the UK by submitting a fraudulent EU Settlement application. On two distinct occasions in 2022, he was deported, once on October 5 and then again on June 26. Additionally, another removal transpired at Liverpool John Lennon Airport on October 14, 2022.
The critical intervention occurred when Sussex Police's Tactical Firearms Unit conducted the vehicle stop on Marine Parade, Brighton, during the early hours of September 4, which unraveled Rudacan's continued subversion of legal orders.
Inspector Oliver Fisher from the Tactical Firearms Unit underscored the significance of such proactive measures and affirmed the commitment to addressing those who exploit vulnerable individuals through trafficking and modern slavery, ensuring the safeguarding of victims.
Detective Inspector Tony Platten, responsible for Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking at Greater Manchester Police, reiterated Rudacan's blatant disregard for the imposed orders and the need for coordinated efforts across multiple regions to thwart his activities, emphasizing the protective intent behind trafficking and deportation orders.
Tony Hilton, Assistant Director for the Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigation unit, commended the dedication of law enforcement personnel in pursuing and bringing to justice an individual of deceptive disposition, whose recurrent attempts to breach national borders and exploit vulnerable populations warranted relentless pursuit. Hilton emphasized the enduring commitment to collaborate with law enforcement partners to investigate, apprehend, and dismantle illicit trafficking operations to fortify national borders and save lives.