Three men have been arrested in Cork as part of an investigation into human trafficking following an operation involving more than 100 gardaí on Saturday morning.
The three men, who are aged in their 30s and 40s, are currently being detained for organized crime-related offenses in Garda stations in Cork under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.
Gardaí carried out extensive raids in seven locations in Cork and Roscommon on Saturday morning as part of the investigation into an organized crime gang with links to Eastern Europe. The gang is allegedly involved in human trafficking.
In addition to the arrests, officers also seized items of evidential value during the Saturday morning raids, gardaí said in a statement.
The operation was led by detectives from An Garda Síochána's Divisional Protective Service Unit and was supported by uniform and plain-clothes gardaí, the Garda Dog Unit, Armed Support Unit, and Scenes of Crime Unit. More than 100 gardaí were involved in the raids in Cork and Roscommon.
"Gardai 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 labor exploitation. The investigation is being supported by International colleagues from Europol," a Garda spokesperson said in a statement.
The statement appealed to any person who may be the victim of human trafficking to speak to a member of An Garda Síochána, describing human trafficking as a "heinous" crime.
"An Garda Siochana 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," gardaí said in a statement.
"Importantly, An Garda Siochana 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 Siochana, either at your local Garda station, on the Garda Confidential Phone Number 1800 666 111 or to any members of An Garda Siochana."
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