20/06/2018

Five Potential Victims Of Human Trafficking Rescued

Five potential victims of human trafficking have been rescued by the police following operations across Belfast.

Two women, aged 36 and 24, have been arrested on a number of offences including human trafficking, controlling prostitution for gain, and brothel keeping, and are assisting with enquiries.

The 36-year-old woman was detained by detectives from the PSNI's Modern Slavery Human Trafficking Unit in the Glenbrook Avenue area and the 24-year-old woman was arrested in the Dongegal Avenue area.

The arrests are part of an extensive investigation into an organised criminal gang with eastern European links.

The searches were carried out at properties in east, south and west Belfast on Wednesday, 20 June.

The PSNI were assisted by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Home Office.

Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.

(CD/MH)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

05 February 2018
Woman Arrested On Suspicion Of Human Trafficking
A 29-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of human trafficking for sexual exploitation and controlling prostitution in Co Down. The suspect was detained in the Tandragee Road area of Newry on Saturday, 03 February. She has also been accused of money laundering.
27 April 2017
Man Arrested In Human Trafficking Investigation
A man has been arrested as part of an investigation into human trafficking in south Belfast. Police received a report of a woman being beaten outside a property in the area on Tuesday, 25 April. A 36-year-old Eastern European woman and is currently being assessed as a potential victim of human trafficking.
18 May 2017
Two Charged In Connection With Human Trafficking
Two people have been charged after a 29-year-old woman was rescued by the PSNI's Human Trafficking Unit in Co Tyrone. Officers carried out searches after concerns were raised about a woman's safety in Dungannon. A 32-year-old man has been charged with rape, human trafficking, controlling prostitution and kidnapping.
25 October 2017
Man Charged Over Murder Of Anne O'Neill
A 27-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Anne ONeill. The 51-year-old victim died from her injuries following an incident at a house in the Ardmore Avenue area in Finaghy on Saturday, 21 October. The suspect is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 25 October.
01 May 2019
Man Arrested In Belfast For Human Trafficking Offences
A man has been arrested in east Belfast on suspicion of domestic servitude, the first arrest of its kind in Northern Ireland according to the PSNI. Detectives from the PSNI's Modern Slavery and human Trafficking Unit (MSHTU) arrested the 33-year-old on Tuesday 30 April.