GARDAÍ HAVE uncovered an organised crime gang suspected of bringing women from Africa, South America and eastern Europe into Ireland to work in an internet and brothel-based prostitution ring across the country.
Ten people were arrested yesterday in connection with the gang's activities, with seven arrests made in the Republic, two in Wales and one in Northern Ireland.
The Irish gang has built up a multimillion-euro portfolio of properties in Wales.
The investigation, Operation Abbey, involves a number of specialist Garda units as well as the PSNI, UK Serious and Organised Crime Agency, UK Border Agency and Welsh police force.
The arrests here were made during a co-ordinated series of Garda raids across the country beginning at 7am yesterday. The intelligence leading to the operation came from a woman trafficked here by the gang to work in prostitution.
In Carlow, six addresses were raided including private homes and accountants' and solicitors' offices. There were raids on brothels in Cavan, Drogheda, Athlone, Mullingar, Sligo, Kilkenny, Enniscorthy, Newbridge and Waterford.
Between five and 10 women found at the premises were foreign nationals whom gardaí believe were working in prostitution. None of the women were arrested. They are now being cared for by the State. One man arrested in the Republic is in his 50s and from Co Carlow. He is regarded as the gang leader and has been well known to gardaí for many years.
The other six arrested here include the gang leader's estranged wife, his current partner, his son and daughter as well as two other Irish men.
Gardaí seized documents, laptops, phones and other electronic devices which they believe contain information on the gangs operation. These are being examined by the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation. One woman was detained in Newry and two other people, one 47-year-old Irish man and a 31-year-old South African woman, were arrested in Wales.
