The suspected head of a major Romanian organised crime network has been arrested following an operation by the National Crime Agency.
Florin Ghinea, 43, was detained by officers from the NCA’s Armed Operations Unit as he left a gym in Watford on Tuesday 14 August. The operation was supported by Hertfordshire Police.
Ghinea, who goes by the nickname “Ghenosu”, was wanted by the Romanian authorities for human trafficking, conspiracy to murder, blackmail and money laundering. He was listed as one of Europol’s most wanted men.
He stands accused of orchestrating a trafficking ring which saw Romanian women sent to Ireland, Finland and Dubai for the purposes of sexual exploitation, as well as conspiring to kill a criminal rival.
Ghinea was held on a European Arrest Warrant and will now face extradition to Romania. That process began with a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court today (15 August) which saw him remanded in custody until his next appearance on 25 September.
National Crime Agency deputy director Tom Dowdall said:
“Ghinea was being sought by the Romanian authorities for some extremely serious offences including human trafficking and murder, and was quite rightly regarded as one of Europe’s most wanted.
“He was arrested as a result of some excellent joint working between the NCA, our partners in Romania and Hertfordshire Police.
“The ability to do this means that no matter where in Europe they come from criminals will find no sanctuary in the UK, and our streets are safer as a result.”
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