The good folk of Emmerdale didn’t realise there was a people trafficking operation taking place right next door to Butlers Farm – but the truth is now coming out and one person in particular is about to have their life turned upside down as a result.
Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) was running her farm using labour from people who’d been kidnapped, coerced and groomed into working for her and were kept in conditions of modern slavery – isolated from the outside world, fed only the minimum to keep them going and threatened with violence if they should rebel in any way.
Following the death of Celia’s adopted son Ray Walters (Joe Absolom), the police discover exactly what kind of criminal activities were going on behind the scenes at the farm – and it’s not long before a beloved character is implicated in the crimes.
When Celia persuaded Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) to partner with her in business, she assured Moira it would be a great deal for her.
All Moira had to do was branch out into the turkey business and watch the cash roll in. Moira had some misgivings, mainly because Celia seemed quite casual about obtaining the various legal paperwork that Moira knew they’d need.
She got on board, though, and soon enough she was pleased with the financial rewards as it seemed everything Celia had promised was true.
Then shortly before Christmas Moira discovered various dodgy invoices at Celia’s farm and realised her business partner hadn’t been entirely transparent with her. She told Celia she wanted nothing more to do with their partnership.
Celia was entirely unbothered by this because she’d put in place certain security measures. Moira’s signature was all over everything, for a start. And then there was the dead body – that of one of Celia’s workers, Anya (Alia Al-Shabibi), who’d died of infected wounds. After her death, Ray and Celia made Bear (Joshua Richards) dig a grave for Anya on Moira’s land.
Celia may not be with us any longer, but her evil powers live on and sure enough when the police start to investigate the people trafficking operation they turn their attention straight away to Moira and Butlers Farm.
When Moira brings Cain (Jeff Hordley) – who’s just been diagnosed with cancer – back from the hospital, the police arrive to question them, having already spoken to Robert (Ryan Hawley) and Victoria (Isabel Hodgins). They also speak to Joe Tate (Ned Porteous), who doesn’t exactly sing Moira’s praises.
DS Walsh (Amanda Ryan) pushes Moira for answers about her relationship with Celia, and it’s not long before more police officers arrive with a search warrant – and they find a piece of evidence that points to Moira being deeply involved in people trafficking.
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Moira is immediately arrested and taken to the police station. Cain can only look on, helpless to do anything. Caleb (William Ash) offers to help his brother by getting the best lawyer possible to take Moira’s case.
But how will Moira prove her innocence when she’s been stitched up so neatly by Celia?
