Issue Date: 11/07/2025
Between 1st and 6th June 2025, An Garda Síochána, 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 Unit’s 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 5th and Friday 6th 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. He appeared before Monaghan District Court on Wednesday 11th June where he was remanded in custody. A full file is now being compiled for the DPP.
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.
Further details on human trafficking and sexual exploitation can be found at www.blueblindfold.ie
