One of “Europe’s most wanted” extradited back to Romania after NCA operation

14 Feb 2020 03:48 PM

The suspected head of a major organised crime network has been extradited back to Romania to face trial, following an operation by the National Crime Agency.

Florin Ghinea, 45, was detained by officers from the NCA’s Armed Operations Unit as he left a gym in Watford on Tuesday 14 August 2018. The operation was supported by Hertfordshire Police.

Ghinea, who goes by the nickname “Ghenosu”, had been wanted by the Romanian authorities for human trafficking, conspiracy to murder, blackmail and money laundering. He was listed as one of Europol’s most wanted men.

He stands accused of orchestrating a trafficking ring which saw Romanian women sent to Ireland, Finland and Dubai for the purposes of sexual exploitation, as well as conspiring to kill a criminal rival.

Ghinea was held on a European Arrest Warrant and on 12 February, following the conclusion of UK extradition proceedings, he was flown out of Heathrow to Bucharest.

Head of European Operations for NCA International, Dave Hucker, said:

“Ghinea was arrested as a result of some excellent joint working between the NCA and Romanian law enforcement.

“His departure is a huge success, and I’ve no doubt our streets are safer as a result.”