Gardai investigate 92 brothels during operation targeting human trafficking
Gardai have said they inspected 92 brothels during a week-long operation last month.
Between June 1 and June 6, An Garda Síochána, along with other law enforcement partners worldwide, participated in Operation Global Chain, targeting human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging in order to detect and disrupt organised crime groups exploiting vulnerable victims for financial gain.
Gardaí said they inspected brothels in every major town and city in Ireland and in total 92 brothels were visited. 179 sex workers were interviewed with nationalities from Brazil, Romania, Spain, China, Dominican Republic, Poland, Latvia, Colombia, Taiwan, Panama, Czech Republic, Malaysia and Ireland. No victims of human trafficking were detected, however they were provided with information and advice should they wish to speak to An Garda Síochána further.
The joint activities focused on detecting and disrupting organised crime groups involved in trafficking of human beings, in particular child trafficking, sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging.
Over the week, the Garda National Protective Services Bureau liaised with Divisional Protective Services Unit’s across Ireland and coordinated an intensive week of welfare visits to suspected brothels to detect potential incidents of sexual exploitation.
On Thursday, June 5 and Friday, June 6, 37 flights were monitored at Dublin Airport. Members of the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit and the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit were present, carrying out enhanced law enforcement checks with the Border Management Unit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. A total of 5,421 passengers were inspected arriving at Dublin Airport.
One male suspect was arrested in an ongoing Human Trafficking investigation for sexual exploitation and forced criminality. This person was detained at Monaghan Garda Station under Organised Crime legislation. At the conclusion of his detention, a charge for Human Trafficking Contrary to Section 4(1) of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 was directed by the DPP. He appeared before Monaghan District Court on Wednesday, June 11, where he was remanded in custody. A full file is now being compiled for the DPP.