Ana Lucia Martins, 50, has been locked up for three years after using her...

Published: 10:42 pm February 16, 2026
Updated: 2:40 am February 23, 2026

 

Ana Lucia Martins, 50, has been locked up for three years after using her cleaning company as a front to traffic Brazilian migrants into the UK and force them into brutal 12-hour shifts with no breaks.

False Promises of £400 a Week

Martins lured victims from Brazil by promising they could earn £400 per week working for her in the UK. But once here, they endured long, exhausting shifts without food or water breaks. Their only “payment” was a roof over their heads.
The Home Office confirmed that Martins will now be considered for automatic deportation.

Simon Blainey, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, warned:

“This case is a prime example of the lies people smugglers sell to illegal migrants. Martins sold her victims a dream of a prosperous life in the UK – instead, they suffered abuse and exploitation.”

“We’re cracking down on the incentives that draw illegal migrants to the UK and ramping up enforcement action to bring offenders like Martins to justice.”

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Topics :Uk

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