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.

Supporters for victims of trafficking yesterday welcomed the launch of Pentameter II. Ruhama, who helps prostitutes, said it was delighted with the initiative. The organisation’s Geraldine Rowley said she hoped victims identified as trafficked would also increasingly be directed for help to NGOs.

Superintendent John O’Driscoll with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) said: “We will target any assets accrued from trafficking of human beings and robust immigration controls will be implemented. We will be following the money now as well as the people.”

While Ruhama say up to 200 victims of trafficking have been identified over seven years in Ireland, the GNIB say that only 10 suspected cases have been recently brought to its attention. These have involved suspected trafficking of people from western Africa and eastern Europe and allegedly mainly for forced labour.

A UN report last year identified trafficking for the first time as an emerging problem in Ireland.

Operation Pentameter II follows a similar initiative in Britain last year which resulted in 88 victims being rescued and 134 people being charged.

The operation aims to break up gangs who force women and children, many of them from eastern Europe, to work as sex slaves in more developed countries.

The Government intends publishing a new Trafficking Bill over the coming weeks to strengthen laws against human trafficking.