Operation Kendrew: Raids in Edinburgh and Midlothian as Scotland’s Largest Human Trafficking Probe Unfolds

# What happened Police Scotland carried out a large-scale enforcement action called Operation Kendrew. About 300 officers executed warrants at 47 addresses across Scotland, including sites in Edinburgh and Midlothian, and other locations such as Aberdeen, Dundee, Falkirk, Glasgow, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and the Scottish Borders. Arrests were also made in Birmingham.

# Scale and immediate results

• 36 people were arrested in connection with the probe.
• 14 cannabis cultivations were found at properties searched.
• A number of potential trafficking victims were recovered.

The operation involved roughly 35 warrants being served in a single coordinated effort.

# Who led the operation The investigation was led by Police Scotland's National Human Trafficking Unit. It was a joint action with the Home Office Immigration Enforcement and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Detective Superintendent Stevie Bertram, head of the National Human Trafficking Unit, described the operation as the biggest and most coordinated human trafficking operation Police Scotland has carried out. He characterized human trafficking as the illegal trade in human beings for commercial exploitation and said the crime can exist in many communities and sometimes involves people legally resident in the country.

# Victim support on the ground Two Victim Navigators were deployed alongside policing activity. These specialists provide independent, trauma-informed support intended to prioritise victims' immediate needs and decision-making. Debi Lloyd, Head of Counter-Trafficking at Justice & Care, said trauma-informed support helps people begin to trust again and make their own choices.

# Who was being targeted Police described the suspects as part of a Vietnamese crime group suspected of human trafficking, exploitation and immigration offences. The investigation targeted people alleged to control, abuse and exploit others for commercial gain.

# What Police Scotland said about future action Police Scotland indicated this will not be an isolated event. The force said it will continue to use focused days of action to disrupt and identify those who control and exploit others, working with national and international partners to bring offenders to justice and raise public awareness so victims can be identified and supported.

# Practical implications for the public

• If you have information about possible trafficking or exploitation, Police Scotland's statements encourage reporting to help identify victims and offenders.
• The coordinated use of multi-agency resources—police, immigration enforcement, HMRC and specialist victim navigators—shows how investigations combine operational enforcement with victim support.

# What remains open Authorities reported arrests, seizures and recoveries of potential victims but did not disclose the full scope of charges or court actions pending against those arrested. Police statements emphasise continued investigative work and further targeted actions.