Man arrested in relation to human trafficking

A man arrested in the Ballymore area in relation to human trafficking offences yesterday (Thursday) has been released without charge. The man in his 30s was one of three people arrested in the country yesterday as part of the Gardai's Operation Quest, an investigation into human trafficking. Gardai confirmed today that the man was arrested in the Ballymore Garda District and was brought to Athlone Garda Station where he was detained for questioning under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. He was released without charge in the early hours of this morning and a file is being prepared for the DPP. Two other people - a man in his late 20s and a woman in her early 30s - were arrested in Dublin and Dundalk and are currently being detained at Clondalkin Garda Station. Gardai have seized number of items of evidence have been seized including mobile phones, electronic devices and documentation. Operation Quest was launched with the aim of identifying potential victims of human trafficking. The investigation team are liaising with Europol, Interpol, The Police Service of Northern Ireland, The Human Trafficking Centre Central Investigations Bureau, Warsaw, Poland and the Serious Organised Crime Agency, United Kingdom with a view to identifying further potential victims. This is an ongoing operation and Gardai would appeal for anyone who may have information to contact them in Store Street, Dublin 1, on 01 6668074/6668000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or Athlone Garda Station on 090 6498550.