A man who was suspected of acting as an unlicensed gangmaster in Northern Ireland was arrested yesterday in Lurgan.

He was detained by Gangmaster Licensing Authority investigators assisted by officers from the PSNI.

The 39-year-old Romanian national was apprehended as part of the regulatory authority’s ongoing investigations into unlicensed labour provision on fruit farms in Co Armagh.

He is suspected of supplying workers to pick apples and other fruit without a licence at various locations in the area – activities that require a GLA licence.

He was released to report to the Public Prosecution Service.

Providing workers for roles in agriculture, horticulture and food processing and packaging without a GLA licence is a criminal offence that carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

If anyone suspects workers are being exploited or provided by unlicensed operators they are asked to contact the GLA on the confidential reporting line 0800 432 0804 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.