Investigators from the UK’s Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority arrested a 61-year-old British man on suspicion of acting as an unlicensed gangmaster. The man was arrested on 21 September at an address in Hutton Cranswick in the East riding of Yorkshire. He has since been released on conditional bail until 11 December with restrictions to not act as an unlicensed gangmaster and to pay workers at least the National Minimum Wage.

The investigation was done with the support of Humberside Police after receiving information indicating the unlicensed supply of workers in the agricultural sector.

“Supplying workers into the agricultural sector without a GLAA licence is a criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and an unlimited fine,” Lee Dalton-Gooding, GLAA investigating officer, said in a press release.

“The GLAA licensing scheme exists to create a level playing field for businesses operating in the fresh produce sector,” Dalton-Gooding said. “We will not hesitate to use our powers to stop unregulated gangmasters from exploiting workers across the agricultural sector, but also in horticulture, food production and shellfish gathering.”