Two Preston men have this evening (April 20) been charged as part of a major human trafficking operation.

Razvan Mitru, 30, of Arkwright Road, Preston and Traian Gvarila, 31, of Victoria Place, Preston are among eight people charged with conspiring to traffic for sexual exploitation and conspiring to incite prostitution for gain.

They are all due to appear before Blackburn Magistrates Court tomorrow morning (April 21).

More: Eight arrested following major human trafficking operation

The charges follow a long running proactive investigation led by Lancashire Constabulary’s human trafficking and modern slavery team Op Proteus, a dedicated team working to identify both the victims and perpetrators of trafficking and slavery across Lancashire.

Seven men and one woman were arrested following a series of early morning raids on Wednesday (April 19) that included Preston, Blackburn and Blackpool.

Full list of those charged:

Razvan Mitru, 30, of Arkwright Road, Preston

Ionut Dogaru, 28, of Whitebirk Road, Blackburn

Alexandru Baltoiu, 24, of St Margaret’s Road, Evesham

Marius Trasca, 29, of Watt Street, Gateshead

Marian Diaconu, 25, of Arborfield Close, Slough

Andra Amzulin, 27, of Station Road, Blackpool

Claudiu-Nicusor Vlaescu, 31, of Whitebirk Road, Blackburn

Traian Gvarila, 31, of Victoria Place, Preston