A car wash boss arrested as part of an investigation into modern slavery and human trafficking has been released on bail.

Avion Elezi was detained by police officers who raided his Canterbury home in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

They swooped after a documentary featuring footage purportedly showing employees at his chain of USA Car Washes in Kent living in squalor and working for below the minimum wage.

The 36-year-old Albanian and a 21-year-old woman, who was also arrested at his home, have been bailed until the spring.

A 32-year-old man arrested elsewhere has been released without charge.

Kent Police, National Crime Agency, the Immigration Enforcement team and the Environment

Agency carried out a series of simultaneous raids across the county.

They visited Elezi’s home in Harcourt Avenue, off Westgate Court Avenue, and his car washes in Chartham, Hersden, Broad Oak Road in Canterbury and Aylesford near Maidstone.

Two private homes in Field Avenue, Canterbury, and Rentain Road in Chartham used as accommodation by car wash employees were also visited by police.

Police also removed 21 employees and believe that up to 15 of them may be victims.

More than 80 investigators are working on the case which focuses on an alleged criminal network that could be involved in money laundering, human trafficking and modern slavery.

Supt Eddie Fox, who is leading the investigation, says it was sparked by the documentary produced by Al-Jazeera. It was broadcast in April.

“Since then there has been a lot investigative work,” Supt Fox said after the co-ordinated raids.

“There is concern that workers are being exploited and exposed to dangerous working conditions. We could be looking at money laundering or assault. There could also be investigations into pay and working conditions and the Environment Agency could be concerned with the accommodation.

“It’s a complicated investigation with a number of challenges. There is a language issue and some of these people may not think they are victims or being exploited.

“We have worked closely with the NCA and Immigration Enforcement as part of this operation and would ask anyone who may have information that may prove useful to this investigation, to come forward.”

When confronted by Al-Jazeera journalists, Elezi denied he had mistreated his employees or underpaid them.

He and the woman are due to answer bail on March 15.