Asparagus grower arrested for trafficking

Wednesday 20 January 2010

Police have arrested a 46-year-old farmer on charges of human trafficking and exploitation during the 2009 asparagus season.

The investigation into the woman, from the Brabant village of Someren, began last May after local mayor Alfred Veltman said conditions on the asparagus farm were akin to slavery.

Social affairs ministry inspectors found 50 people living on the farm in a dirty room without windows. 'They were not allowed to leave the premises. They were payed less than promised and their employer forced them to buy food and other essentials at inflated prices,' the mayor said at the time.

The investigation involved visits to Romania, Poland and Portugal to talk to witnesses, news agency ANP said. A 28-year-old man from Romania has also been arrested.

© DutchNews.nl

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