Sibling Duo Jailed for Running London Prostitution Ring with Drug Dealing
Claudia Anca, 27, and her brother Vasile, 24, from Chingford, along with Mihaita Strat, 51, from Redbridge, have been locked up for their roles in a London prostitution and drug supply racket. The trio were sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 17 November following a detailed probe by the Met’s Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation Team.
The Anca siblings each got six years behind bars. Strat was handed two years.
From Denial to Guilty Pleas After Trial Began
Originally, all three denied involvement. But a four-week trial starting 8 November saw them U-turn as overwhelming evidence forced guilty pleas on 9 November. They admitted to controlling prostitution, with the Ancas also confessing to supplying Class A drugs. Trafficking charges were left to lie on file.
The court heard how the gang ran a sex work business advertised online. Customers called Claudia’s number to book women, who were then picked up by drivers and taken to hotels or homes. Claudia, the ringleader, managed bookings and controlled the women. Vasile helped manage the business and was often the driver. Both siblings also supplied cocaine to clients on request.
Strat was deeply involved too. He helped run the website, directed sex workers, and frequently drove women to appointments.
Fake Company ‘Ace Concept’ Used to Cover Tracks
The operation ran from at least March 2019 through a front company called Ace Concept, set up by the siblings with no legitimate business aims. Ace Concept was linked to adverts on a classified website featuring Claudia’s phone and the siblings’ card details.
Between July 2019 and January 2021, the trio made 73 payments totalling over £23,000 to advertise their sick business. Strat also chipped in for adverts in August 2020.
Undercover Sting Uncovers Cocaine and Cash
Met detectives tracked hotel visits via CCTV, mobile data, and ANPR. On two occasions, undercover cops posed as customers. On 10 December 2020, an officer called Claudia to negotiate prices for sex and cocaine, later meeting a sex worker at a Barking hotel. Vasile delivered the drugs, which forensics confirmed as cocaine bearing his fingerprint.
A major sting on 13 January 2021 led to Strat’s arrest at a Barking hotel with £890 cash and cocaine traces in his car. Police found unused condoms and more cocaine in sex workers’ bags. The Ancas were arrested later that night. Searches at their home uncovered cash, cocaine, phones, and a pink notebook detailing financial records.
‘She’s The Boss,’ Says Co-Conspirator
While in custody, Strat quietly told officers, “That is the boss, she is the boss.” Claudia’s phones revealed messages coordinating prices, client details, and strict rules forcing women to dress and present themselves exactly as she demanded.
Photos of women in underwear sent by Claudia matched online adverts. Drivers had orders not to let women leave without Claudia’s approval.
Detective Inspector Nigel Penney: “This was an excellent investigation by my team, resulting in guilty pleas to overwhelming evidence. Claudia Anca ran this cruel enterprise with no regard for the welfare or safety of the women they exploited for profit.
The Met is committed to making London safe and will continue to hunt down people like the Ancas and Strat who treat people as commodities for cash.”
Anyone with info on modern slavery or exploitation should call police on 101 or charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
