Forces launch operation to crack down on human trafficking

EFFORTS to crack down on human traffickers were boosted yesterday as a new joint operation — Pentameter II — was unveiled by British and Irish police forces.

Gardaí confirmed they have agreed to involve the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation in suspected cases of human trafficking where the two forces co-operate. Bank accounts, assets like cars and property as well as money trails will be trawled through where traffickers are suspected of selling people into the sex trade and forced labour.

The initiative, an extension of Operation Pentameter, originally launched in March 2006, comes as gardaí finish training in identifying victims of trafficking.