Covasna family arrested for human trafficking and forced labor

Five members of a single family have been arrested by DIICOT for operating a criminal organization dedicated to human trafficking and forced labor. The group allegedly targeted vulnerable individuals, including those without housing or those burdened by debt, by offering to pay off their debts before subjecting them to exploitation.

Between March 2025 and August 2026, the group operated in Covasna, Romania, and in Germany. Victims were reportedly taken to properties in Brateș, Zăbala, and Covasna, where their identity documents were seized. They were forced to work up to 16 hours a day in construction, animal care, and domestic tasks without pay.

Investigators noted that the group, led by a woman who supervised the victims and coordinated locations, treated people as having “their own economic value.” The suspects allegedly intended to “sell” victims for sums between 2,000 and 3,000 euros. To prevent victims from seeking help, the group reportedly used physical aggression and threats.