16/11/2016

Man Due In Court Charged With Human Trafficking

A 33-year-old man is due to appear before Dublin District Court charged in connection with an ongoing human trafficking investigation.

The man was arrested in Dublin on Tuesday evening as part of an operation that was first started in 2012, investigating human trafficking of Polish nationals into the state by organised criminal groups for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

During the course of the investigation, a number of female victims were identified and interviewed by Gardaí. Those identified are continuing to receive support from Ruhama and the HSE. Five suspects were arrested and detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007. They were released without charge and a comprehensive investigation file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions. 

The investigation was led by Gardaí attached to Operation Quest, Garda National Protective Service Bureau and supported by the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit, Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau, National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, District Detective Units based at Store Street and Athlone Garda Stations. Assistance was also provided by the Polish National Trafficking Unit, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Europol and Interpol.

(MH/JP)

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