Twp men to face Lisburn Magistrates’ Court charged with human trafficking

DETECTIVES have charged two men with 50 offences including human trafficking and forced labour.

The men, aged 23 and 31, were arrested as part of a police investigation into labour exploitation yesterday.

A total of 14 men and six women, all Romanian, have been rescued in the past week in Co Armagh.

Both men are charged with 12 human trafficking offences and 12 of acting as an unlicensed gangmaster.

They are due to appear at Lisburn Magistrates Court in County Antrim this morning.

A 27-year-old man arrested as part of the investigation is still being questioned at Antrim police station.

Additional translators have been flown in from England to help police gather information.

Two properties have been searched and three vehicles seized.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch have also been liaising with the Gangmaster Licensing Authority as part of their investigations which are linked to food production.

Detective Chief Inspector Todd Clements from Organised Crime Branch said: “This has been a fast-moving and complex operation which may continue for some time.

DCI Todd Clements said it was a “fast moving operation’ to rescue the workers

“The 20 people we have identified as potential victims of human trafficking for labour exploitation are in places of safety now.

“Our inquiries are continuing,” added DCI Clements.