The "brutal and ruthless" human trafficking industry is a "growing concern" in Scotland, according to a survivor's organisation.

The comments came after three men and one women from a Glasgow gang were convicted after a five-year investigation.

Vojtech Gombar, 61, Anil Wagle, 37, Ratislav Adam, 31 and 28-year-old Jana Sandorova were found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow today of selling women for prostitution and slavery between 2011 and 2017.

Despite the conviction, Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA) believe that the issue is on the rise. 

Glasgow Times: Ratislav Adam, left, Anil Wagle, centre,and Vojtech Gomber, right were found guilty of prostitution and slavery chargesRatislav Adam, left, Anil Wagle, centre,and Vojtech Gomber, right were found guilty of prostitution and slavery charges

READ MORE: Glasgow human trafficking gang sexually exploited 14 vulnerable women

Bronagh Andrew, operations manager at TARA, said: “The sad truth is people are being trafficked from all over the world to meet the demands of the global sex industry.

"Trafficking is an issue of growing concern in Scotland.

"It is a crime perpetrated by brutal and ruthless criminals who seek to make money from the exploitation and misery of others."

Mr Andrew added that those who buy sex "must also share responsibility", adding that they "fuel the demand the traffickers feed off."

He continued: "The suffering of the women who are bought and sold for sex will be barely even a consideration for the traffickers and their customers, if at all.

"Raising awareness of this appalling industry is vital to disrupt the criminals and assist the authorities in tackling this problem.

“This case gives a clear message to traffickers – and will hopefully give women the confidence and belief that they will be helped and they will be supported.”

Over the course of the trial, the High Court in Glasgow heard how the young women and teenage girls - some who were pregnant - were coerced into travelling to the UK with the promise of better lives.

In one case, the court heard how a young woman was sold for £10,000 outside Primark on Argyle Street.

Glasgow Times: Jana Sandorova, left, was also found guilty at the High Court in GlasgowJana Sandorova, left, was also found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow

READ MORE: Glasgow human trafficking gang to face jail over prostitution and slavery ring

The pregnant victim was then held in a Govanhill flat for around a month before escaping by jumping from a window.

Other girls spoke of being sold to Pakistani men for sham marriages to try to obtain visas for their 'husbands'.

Police Scotland identified 14 victims of the Glasgow human trafficking gang.

They worked with officers from several UK forces, Eurpol, Eurojust and the Solvak Police Force to form a joint investigations team. 

Georgios Raskos, Head of Europol’s Analysis Project on Human Trafficking, added: “Trafficking in human beings has for too long been perceived as a high-profit, low-risk activity.

"This perception has to change.

"This action with Police Scotland and Slovakia sends a clear message that Europol and its partners are determined to bring to justice criminals who think they can exploit people for profit.

"Complex operations like this across jurisdictions underline the need for cross-border collaboration between law enforcement and all stakeholders to ensure that together we can enhance our prevention, protection and prosecution efforts. 

"Europol strongly supports EU Member States' investigations in this area, and we will continue our efforts in fighting this crime, not only to fight the offenders, but to return to freedom all those who have suffered as victims.”