Gardaí arrest four in joint human trafficking operation with police from Brazil and Europol 

Gardaí searched four locations in Dublin on Wednesday morning, in conjunction with simultaneous searches taking place in Brazil

The joint operation by An Garda Síochána, Europol, and Brazilian police, is targeting an organised crime group suspected of crimes including human trafficking, organised prostitution, and brothel-keeping in Ireland.  Stock picture

Three men and a woman have been arrested in Dublin as part of a joint international operation aimed at disrupting an organised crime group suspected of crimes including human trafficking, organised prostitution, and brothel keeping.

Gardaí in Dublin say they arrested two men in their 30s, one in his 20s, and a woman in her 20s on Wednesday morning as part of a "co-ordinated day of action" in co-operation with Brazilian Federal Police and Europol. 

Officers from the latter two organisations were present in Dublin during this morning's operation.

The four arrested individuals are detained in Garda Stations in Dublin under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

Gardaí also searched four locations in Dublin city centre on Wednesday morning, in conjunction with simultaneous searches taking place in Brazil.

As part of the operation, a member of An Garda Síochána is also working alongside the Brazilian Federal Police in Brazil.

Among the garda units involved here were the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB), the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB), Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB), Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS) and STOC (Emergency Response Unit and Armed Support Units).

A garda spokesperson told the Irish Examiner the force "continues to appeal to any individual who may be the victim of human trafficking to speak to a member of An Garda Síochána, either at your local Garda Station or call the Garda Confidential Phone Number 1800 666 111".

"An Garda Síochána understands that victims of these crimes may not always be in a position to make a report themselves, maybe there is opportunity to speak to a Garda who you might meet at any location," the spokesperson said.

"Importantly, An Garda Síochána appeals to anyone with any information on these heinous crimes or suspects that any individual is the victim of human trafficking to speak up, talk to a member of An Garda Síochána, either at your local Garda Station, through the Garda Confidential Phone Number 1800 666 111 or to any members of An Garda Síochána."