Three men were jailed over a human trafficking and prostitution ring after police investigations in south Wales led to guilty pleas at Cardiff Crown Court. George Filip, 45, Alexandru Moco, 26, and Leonard Banica, 41, were sentenced to a combined total of 13 years and two months for their roles in targeting 16 vulnerable women and bringing them into the country to work as sex workers. Police said the group operated from at least 2020, after reports of suspicious behaviour at properties in Newport. Officers later linked the trio to offences dating back to 2015. Investigators said the ring kept moving the women between locations in Newport, Birmingham and Scotland to avoid detection. They also said Ionela Filip, 34, worked with the men to run the operation and used the women for financial gain. The investigation culminated in warrants being executed at a number of locations in Newport in 2020, leading to arrests. During the case, three offenders, George Filip, Leonard Banica and Alexandru Moco, fled the country to try to evade justice, but police worked with criminal justice partners internationally to bring them back. Sentences were handed down on Friday 30 October. George Filip received eight years and two months after pleading guilty to multiple offences. Leonard Banica was jailed for three years and nine months, while Alexandru Moco was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment. Ionela Filip received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to offences connected to the ring. All pleaded guilty following the strength of evidence presented to the court.