Latest news with #OperationGlobalChain
Irish Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gardaí inspect brothels in every major town and city in Ireland in major probe
Gardaí have inspected almost 100 brothels across every major town and city in Ireland, as well as interviewing hundreds of sex workers as part of a massive operation targeting human trafficking for sexual exploitation and forced criminality in Ireland. Between June 1 and 6, Gardaí along with other law enforcement partners worldwide, participated in Operation Global Chain, targeting human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging in order to detect and disrupt organised crime groups exploiting vulnerable victims for financial gain. The joint activities focused on detecting and disrupting organised crime groups involved in trafficking of human beings, in particular child trafficking, sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging. Over the week, the Garda National Protective Services Bureau liaised with Divisional Protective Services Units across Ireland and coordinated an intensive week of welfare visits to suspected brothels to detect potential incidents of sexual exploitation. Gardaí inspected brothels in every major town and city in Ireland and in total 92 brothels were visited. 179 sex workers were interviewed with nationalities from Brazil, Romania, Spain, China, Dominican Republic, Poland, Latvia, Colombia, Taiwan, Panama, Czech Republic, Malaysia and Ireland. No victims of human trafficking were detected, however they were provided with information and advice should they wish to speak to An Garda Síochána further. On Thursday 5, and Friday 6 June, 37 flights were monitored at Dublin Airport. Members of the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit and the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit were present, carrying out enhanced law enforcement checks with the Border Management Unit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. A total of 5,421 passengers were inspected arriving at Dublin Airport. One male suspect was arrested in an ongoing Human Trafficking investigation for sexual exploitation and forced criminality. This person was detained at Monaghan Garda Station under Organised Crime legislation. At the conclusion of his detention, a charge for Human Trafficking Contrary to Section 4(1) of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 was directed by the DPP. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week He appeared before Monaghan District Court on Wednesday June 11 where he was remanded in custody. A full file is now being compiled for the DPP. A Garda spokesperson said: 'An Garda Síochána will continue to work closely with Europol and other law enforcement partners in the identification of new victims so they can be also removed from harm. 'An Garda Síochána appeal to any person who may be the victim of human trafficking or sexual exploitation to come forward and speak with them, either at a local Garda station, or to call the Garda Confidential Phone Number on 1800 666 111. 'An Garda Síochána appeals to any person with any information on these heinous crimes or suspects to come forward. Any contacts with An Garda Síochána will be treated in the utmost confidence.'
Irish Independent
11-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Gardaí interview 179 sex workers in 92 brothels as part of human trafficking crack down
The force revealed how they interviewed 179 sex workers in 92 brothels and inspected 5,421 passengers on 37 flights at Dublin Airport over the course of just one week last month. One man was arrested for sexual exploitation and forced criminality. 'This person was detained at Monaghan Garda Station under Organised Crime legislation,' a Garda spokesperson said. 'At the conclusion of his detention, a charge for Human Trafficking Contrary to Section 4(1) of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 was directed by the DPP. 'He appeared before Monaghan District Court on Wednesday, June 11 where he was remanded in custody. A full file is now being compiled for the DPP.' Between June 1 and 6, gardai along with other law enforcement partners worldwide, participated in Operation Global Chain. The operation focused on detecting and disrupting organised crime groups involved in trafficking of human beings, 'in particular child trafficking, sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging'. Gardai added: 'Over the week, the Garda National Protective Services Bureau liaised with Divisional Protective Services Units across Ireland and coordinated an intensive week of welfare visits to suspected brothels to detect potential incidents of sexual exploitation. The 179 sex workers who were interviewed were from Brazil, Romania, Spain, China, Dominican Republic, Poland, Latvia, Colombia, Taiwan, Panama, Czech Republic, Malaysia and Ireland. 'No victims of human trafficking were detected,' gardai added, 'however they were provided with information and advice should they wish to speak to An Garda Síochána further.' ADVERTISEMENT As part of the operation, 37 flights were monitored at Dublin Airport on Thursday, June 5 and Friday 6. Members of the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit and the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit carried out 'enhanced law enforcement checks with the Border Management Unit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration'. A total of 5,421 passengers were inspected arriving at Dublin Airport. Gardai added that they will continue to work closely with Europol and other law enforcement partners in the identification of new victims 'so they can be also removed from harm'. Gardai are also appealing to any person who may be the victim of human trafficking or sexual exploitation to come forward and speak with them. They can do this, either at a local Garda station, or by calling the Garda Confidential Phone Number on 1800 666 111. 'An Garda Síochána appeals to any person with any information on these heinous crimes or suspects to come forward,' the spokesperson added. 'Any contacts with An Garda Síochána will be treated in the utmost confidence.' Further details on human trafficking and sexual exploitation can be found at Gardai added: 'Human trafficking is a crime and a serious human rights violation. It occurs all over the world, including in Ireland. It takes many different forms and may be present in any community, nationwide. Ireland is taking significant steps to combat human trafficking and respond to the needs of victims, at home and with our partners.'
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Gardaí inspect 92 brothels as part of major operation targeting human trafficking
An Garda Síochána have inspected 92 brothels and interviewed 179 sex workers across every major city and town in Ireland as part of a major operation — Operation Global Chain — targeting human trafficking. According to a garda spokesperson, Gardaí teamed up with other law enforcement partners worldwide — including Interpol, Europol and Frontex — to 'detect' and 'disrupt' organised crime groups involved in trafficking. Between June 1 and June 6, Garda National Protective Services Bureau liaised with Divisional Protective Services Unit's across the country to carry out welfare checks in these brothels. No human trafficking victims were detected. As part of the major operation, 37 flights were monitored at Dublin Airport. Members of the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit and the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit carried out intensive checks with the Border Management Unit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. A total of 5,421 passengers were inspected upon arrival at Dublin Airport. A man was arrested for sexual exploitation and forced criminality. He was detained at Monaghan Garda Station under Organised Crime legislation and is currently remanded in custody. Gardaí appeal to any person who may be the victim of human trafficking or sexual exploitation to come forward and speak with them, either at a local garda station, or to call the garda confidential phone number on 1800 666 111. They also appeal to any person with any information on these heinous crimes or suspects to come forward. Any contacts with An Garda Síochána will be treated in the utmost confidence.
Sunday World
11-07-2025
- Sunday World
Gardai interview 179 sex workers in 92 brothels as part of human trafficking crack down
A total of 5,421 passengers were also inspected arriving at Dublin Airport The Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit and the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit carry out enhanced law enforcement checks at Dublin Airport Gardai inspected brothels 'in every major town and city in Ireland' as part of a major world-wide operation targeting human trafficking. The force revealed how they interviewed 179 sex workers in 92 brothels and inspected 5,421 passengers on 37 flights at Dublin Airport over the course of just one week last month. One man was arrested for sexual exploitation and forced criminality. 'This person was detained at Monaghan Garda Station under Organised Crime legislation,' a Garda spokesperson said. 'At the conclusion of his detention, a charge for Human Trafficking Contrary to Section 4(1) of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 was directed by the DPP 'He appeared before Monaghan District Court on Wednesday, June 11 where he was remanded in custody. A full file is now being compiled for the DPP.' Between June 1 and 6, gardai along with other law enforcement partners worldwide, participated in Operation Global Chain. The operation focused on detecting and disrupting organised crime groups involved in trafficking of human beings, 'in particular child trafficking, sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging'. The Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit and the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit carry out enhanced law enforcement checks at Dublin Airport News in 90 Seconds - July 11th Gardai added: 'Over the week, the Garda National Protective Services Bureau liaised with Divisional Protective Services Units across Ireland and coordinated an intensive week of welfare visits to suspected brothels to detect potential incidents of sexual exploitation. The 179 sex workers who were interviewed were from Brazil, Romania, Spain, China, Dominican Republic, Poland, Latvia, Colombia, Taiwan, Panama, Czech Republic, Malaysia and Ireland. 'No victims of human trafficking were detected,' gardai added, 'however they were provided with information and advice should they wish to speak to An Garda Síochána further.' As part of the operation, 37 flights were monitored at Dublin Airport on Thursday, June 5 and Friday 6. Members of the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit and the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit caried out 'enhanced law enforcement checks with the Border Management Unit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration'. A total of 5,421 passengers were inspected arriving at Dublin Airport. Gardai added that they will continue to work closely with Europol and other law enforcement partners in the identification of new victims 'so they can be also removed from harm'. Gardai are also appealing to any person who may be the victim of human trafficking or sexual exploitation to come forward and speak with them. They can do this, either at a local Garda station, or by calling the Garda Confidential Phone Number on 1800 666 111. 'An Garda Síochána appeals to any person with any information on these heinous crimes or suspects to come forward,' the spokesperson added. 'Any contacts with An Garda Síochána will be treated in the utmost confidence.' Further details on human trafficking and sexual exploitation can be found at Gardai added: 'Human trafficking is a crime and a serious human rights violation. It occurs all over the world, including in Ireland. It takes many different forms and may be present in any community, nationwide. Ireland is taking significant steps to combat human trafficking and respond to the needs of victims, at home and with our partners.'
CTV News
11-07-2025
- CTV News
Europe-led people-trafficking sweep frees 1,200 victims, yields 158 arrests
The exterior view of the European police agency Europol headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike Corder, File) AMSTERDAM -- A week-long European-led drive against people-trafficking has netted 158 suspected traffickers and ensured the safety of 1,194 victims in 44 countries, Europol said on Friday. Dubbed 'Operation Global Chain', the campaign, led by Austria and Romania with support from Europol, Frontex and Interpol, brought together law enforcement, border control and labor inspectors from Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. More than 276,000 checks at airports, border crossings and elsewhere uncovered exploitation in agriculture, construction and domestic work as well as coercion of victims into crime. Several organized crime groups were dismantled. 'Close and effective cooperation between international law enforcement and border authorities remains essential in protecting those who are most vulnerable to exploitation,' said Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle. 'Each individual safeguarded from exploitation represents an invaluable success.' Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Kevin Liffey
