Investigations into the network began in November 2022 when police officers noticed a group of Romanian sex workers operating regularly in a London car park. While the Romanian women initially did not allude to sexual exploitation, the authorities discovered that the same Romanian national had paid for their flights in and out of the United Kingdom. It is suspected that the women were recruited in Candesti, Romania, brought to various addresses around the United Kingdom, where they were forced into street prostitution in London. 

To uncover the network, a joint investigation team was launched between Romanian and UK authorities, with the support of Eurojust. During meetings at Eurojust, authorities exchanged information and evidence showing the international scope of the criminal network. The UK authorities identified members of the network responsible for transporting the vulnerable women from Romania and within the United Kingdom. The Romanian authorities traced the proceeds of the criminal activities flowing back into Romania. 

Following a three-year investigation, an action day took place in early 2026 to dismantle the network. In Romania, three defendants were arrested and two others were put under judicial control. Nine luxury cars and several properties were seized. In the United Kingdom, one defendant was arrested and charged with offences under the Modern Slavery Act, including arranging and facilitating people with a view to exploitation. 

The actions were carried out by the following authorities:

• Romania: Prosecution Office of the High Court of Cassation and Justice; Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism - Buzău Territorial Office; Ploiești Organized Crime Combating Brigade; the Craiova Organized Crime Combating Brigade; General Inspectorate of the Romanian Gendarmerie
• United Kingdom: Crown Prosecution Service London; Metropolitan police