DETECTIVES from Kent Police's organised crime unit played a major part in smashing a people smuggling racket, a judge was told.

Two women were jailed at Maidstone Crown Court after being found guilty of trafficking for sexual exploitation purposes. Both were also found guilty of people smuggling.

In a joint operation between Kent Police, the UK Immigration Service and French authorities, Supanee Farquharson, 43, from Streatham Road, London, and Vlastimil Loja, a 27-year-old man from Adelaide Road, Hampstead, were identified as travelling to France on January 30 2005 and attempting to transport two Thai women into the UK with fake UK passports.

Loja was arrested trying to enter the UK with the women who were detained as illegal entrants, interviewed and remanded into the custody of the French authorities in Coquelles.

Farquharson was later arrested at Heathrow airport on August 4 2005 on her return from Thailand.

On the same day a warrant was served at an address in Streatham High Road, London. It was discovered that Esther Lewis, 59, from Blundell Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, had been acting as a ‘madam’ for a brothel at the address on behalf of Farquharson. Two Thai illegal immigrants were also found at the premises working as prostitutes.

Farquharson was charged and pleaded not guilty to the facilitation of two illegal Thai women on January 30, trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation and managing a brothel.

Lewis was charged and pleaded not guilty to the facilitation of two illegal Thai women on January 30 and trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Lewis was also charged and pleaded guilty to managing a brothel.

Loja was charged and pleaded not guilty to the facilitation of two illegal Thai women on January 30.

A three-week trial ensued before the defendants were found guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on March 27.

Det Sgt John McDermott, of Kent Police’s organised crime unit, said: I am extremely pleased with the outcome of this investigation. It is an excellent example of a thorough and committed interagency enquiry.

"We believe this is the first conviction for an offence of trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation in the UK whereby there has been no victim testimony.

“Hopefully this sentencing will send a clear message to those who profit from the trafficking of people for the purposes of exploitation, this is nothing more than modern day slavery.

"Kent Police and UKIS are committed to thoroughly investigating all such offences.”

On sentencing Supanee Farquharson was identified as the ringleader by the judge. All three defendants were given prison sentences. Farquharson was sentenced to four years for people smuggling offences, five and half years for trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation and two years for managing a brothel.

Esther Lewis was found guilty and sentenced to three years for people smuggling offences and four years for trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation. She was also sentenced to nine months for managing a brothel.

Vlastimil Loja was sentenced to three and half years for people smuggling offences.