Gardaí questioning suspected human trafficking gang leaders arrested in Cork

Organised crime gang, with links to Czech Republic may have been operating here for up to five years

Gardaí were assisted by the EU police agency, Europol

Detectives are questioning the suspected leaders in Ireland of an international human trafficking operation after a major search operation in Cork and Roscommon involving more than 100 gardaí.

The organised crime gang, with strong links to the Czech Republic, is believed to have been operating a labour exploitation racket for the last three to five years.

They are believed to have recruited people from the Czech Republic and neighbouring countries into what the people thought was legitimate employment.

But the gang kept the bulk of their wages, as well as their documents, and housed them in poor and cramped accommodation.

It is understood those trafficked worked in a range of manual jobs in Cork, including food manufacturing.

It is thought that employers taking on the workers may have had no reason to believe they were not receiving all of their wages, which, gardaí suspect, were not paid into accounts controlled by the individuals, but by the gang.

This morning’s garda operation was led by specialist officers in Cork, assisted by divisional colleagues, as well as officers from six national units, including human trafficking, economic crime and cyber crime bureaus.

Gardaí were assisted by the EU police agency, Europol.

Detectives hit a total of seven locations in Cork and Roscommon, seized evidence, and arrested three men.

A Garda statement said: “Gardaí in Cork County have this morning arrested three males for organised crime related offences. The males (in their 30s and 40s) are currently detained in Garda Stations in Cork under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.” 

This anti-gang legislation allows for a maximum period of seven days’ detention, on application to the courts.

“This morning investigating Gardaí searched five locations in Co. Cork and two locations in Co. Roscommon,” the statement said.

It said “items of evidential value”, including, it is thought, digital devices and mobile phones, were seized during the courses of the searches.

“Over 100 gardaí were involved in operations this morning led by detectives from the Divisional Protective Service Unit, Cork County and supported by uniform and plain clothes Gardaí, Garda Dog Unit, Armed Support Unit, and Scenes of Crime Unit, amongst others,” the statement said.

“The investigation team in Cork is supported by sworn Garda members and specialist Garda Staff from National Units including the Human Trafficking Investigation & Coordination Unit (HTICU) at Garda National Protective Service Bureau (GNPSB), the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB), Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) Garda Mutual Assistance Section and the Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS).” 

In relation to the gang being targeted, it said: “Gardaí are investigating the activities of an Organised Crime Group (OCG) based in Ireland, with Eastern European connection, involved in the alleged trafficking of persons into Ireland for the purpose of labour exploitation."

It said An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to any person who may be the victim of human trafficking or labour exploitation to speak to a member, either at their local garda station, or to 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 report themselves, maybe there is opportunity to speak to a Garda who you might meet at any location,” the statement said.

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

People trafficked for the purpose of labour exploitation are typically, though not exclusively, made to work in sectors such as agriculture, construction, entertainment, service industry, manufacturing and domestic servitude as well as begging.

These individuals, gardaí say, may be forced into labour exploitation directly by the OCG, but are often more likely to be made available for work by third party employers who often may not be aware of the activities of the OCG and believe that the labour may be legitimately sourced.