Gardaí charge three Brazilian nationals in relation to prostitution and money-laundering probe

Defence barristers Kevin McCrave and Paddy Flynn said that as a result of an organised crime-related offence, a bail application must be made in the High Court, so they were automatically remanded to prison to appear again next Friday. File picture

Three Brazilian nationals have been charged with possessing close to €3.5m in crime proceeds and enhancing a criminal organisation following a prostitution and money-laundering probe.

Matheus Berberick (aged 35) and his sister, Maria Berberick (aged 27), of Raheen Close, and Sander de Silva Pereira (aged 40), of Loftus Hall, both in Tallaght, were remanded in custody by Judge Ciaran Liddy at Dublin District Court.

The prosecution stems from inquiries by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau's (GNPSB) organised prostitution investigation and human trafficking specialist units.

The trio are all charged with enhancing a criminal organisation and multiple counts of possessing proceeds of criminal conduct: €2.3m for Mr Berberick, €470,000 in his sister's case, and €721,000 in relation to Mr Pereira.

Ms Berberick alone faces an additional charge for using a fake identity document as a false instrument.

Detectives Dwayne O'Brien, Jason Guing and Róisín Reynolds told Judge Liddy that the three defendants "made no reply" when charged.

Detective O'Brien also told the court that the three defendants' finances remain "frozen" at this stage of the investigation.

The offences allegedly took place at an unknown location in the State from March 1, 2023 until August 10, 2026. They have yet to enter pleas and stood silently throughout the brief hearing, with the assistance of interpreters.

Defence barristers Kevin McCrave and Paddy Flynn said that as a result of an organised crime-related offence, a bail application must be made in the High Court, so they were automatically remanded to prison to appear again next Friday.

Mr McCrave said that, in the meantime, instructions would be taken on seeking bail. No application for legal aid was made.

The Garda National Protective Services Unit has appealed to vulnerable sex workers to access or seek support through blueblindfold.ie or the Ruhama charity that provides nationwide support to women impacted by prostitution and human trafficking for sexual exploitation, or contact gardaí.