Meath premises searched as part of human trafficking investigation

Gardai searched premises in counties Meath, Dublin, Cavan and Donegal last month as part of an international operation against human trafficking.

An Garda Síochána participated in an EMPACT (European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats) joint-action operation against human trafficking for exploitation in the agricultural sector between 14th and 21st September.

Over the course of this week, Gardaí and WRC officials met with and spoke to over 35 staff. No human trafficking offences were disclosed.

The operation was executed alongside participating European law enforcement authorities and EUROPOL. The European Labour Authority also supported the action days.

The search of premises was conducted by the Garda National Immigration Bureau accompanied by Gardaí from the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit (HTICU) along with personnel from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Revenue Commissioners.

In addition to these searches, Gardaí from HTICU also delivered a presentation on Human Trafficking to multiple agencies working in a Dublin-based Transit Centre.

It's envisaged this presentation, which is targeted towards educating staff on how to identify potential signs, triggers and patterns that possible Human Traffickers may be using to recruit vulnerable people to try and exploit them in the agricultural sector, will be delivered in similar premises across Ireland in the near future.

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