Birmingham Gang Trafficked Migrants to Cannabis Farms for Labor

Six men were convicted of serious crimes for forcing migrants to work on cannabis farms. The group operated across several locations, including Birmingham, Coventry, and London, as well as properties in Derby, Hartlepool, and Cheshire.

Mai Van Nguyen, 35, from Birmingham, led the criminal group. Doung Dinh, 38, also from Birmingham, and Nghia Dinh Tran, 24, from London, assisted him. These men are responsible for exploiting the migrants’ labor.

Shamraiz Akhtar and Tasawar Hussain, both 50 and taxi drivers from Birmingham, were also involved. They transported the migrants and moved both cannabis and farm equipment between locations.

Amjad Nawaz, 43, from Birmingham, acted as a middleman. He communicated with Nguyen regarding workers and cannabis, and also arranged the use of properties. A victim, known as Witness Z, testified about the exploitation he endured.

Witness Z arrived from Vietnam by boat, needing to repay debt for his wife’s medical care. Smugglers provided him with a phone number to call. He was then taken to a cannabis farm in Tipton, where he faced debt bondage and was forced to work.

He was subsequently moved to another site in Tyseley, and later to a farm in Hartlepool. Police raided the Hartlepool location and arrested Witness Z. They discovered a note pleading for safety, stating “don’t hit” and “they don’t speak English.”

Nawaz was arrested at his partner’s house where police found cannabis and messages with Nguyen. Tran was apprehended at a grow in Derby, while Hussain was arrested outside a cannabis farm. Akhtar was caught with cannabis in his car.

Dinh was arrested later; Nguyen was already in custody for migrant smuggling. All six men were found guilty after a trial and are currently in custody. Their sentencing is scheduled for July 4.