South east London man charged under modern slavery laws

A South east London man has been charged under modern slavery laws with keeping a person in servitude and arranging the travel of another person.

Toi Van Le, 51, of Tanners Hill in Deptford, London, was arrested in Birmingham on Wednesday by West Mercia Police following an investigation into cannabis production, according to the force.

He appeared in front of magistrates in Shropshire on Saturday charged with holding a person in slavery or servitude contrary to the Modern Slavery Act.

Le is further charged with arranging or facilitating the travel of another with a view to exploitation, and faces eight separate counts of producing cannabis.

The alleged offences are all said to have been carried out across the country.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Shrewsbury Crown Court on June 27.