Gardaí in Kerry were present at the county’s airport recently as part of an operation to monitor flights for potential victims of human trafficking.
Gardaí and other law enforcement partners worldwide took part in the annual Operation Global Chain between 8th and 12th June this year.
An Garda Síochána is appealing to anyone who may be the victim of human trafficking or sexual exploitation to come forward.
Operation Global Chain targeted human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging, with the aim of detecting and disrupting organised crime groups exploiting vulnerable victims for financial gain.
As part of this operation, members of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau were present in Dublin, Cork, and Knock Airports to monitor 64 flights on Monday June 8th.
The same day, members of the Kerry Divisional Protective Services Unit were present at Kerry Airport and monitored flights with the assistance of local Immigration Officers.
Across the four airports, 10,640 passengers were inspected, while gardaí also carried out a high-visibility campaign in the arrivals hall of each airport, engaging with the public to help identify indicators of human trafficking.
Further monitoring was done at Dublin and Shannon Airports, and at Dublin and Rosslare Ports across the week.
Gardaí also conducted an intensive week of welfare visits to suspected brothels and massage parlours to detect potential incidents of sexual exploitation.
Gardaí inspected a total of 166 brothels brothels nationwide, and 269 sex workers of various nationalities were interviewed.
No victims of human trafficking were detected, but gardaí did arrest a man in his 50s at a massage parlour in Cork, on foot of an outstanding European Arrest Warrant from Germany for child kidnapping, illegal restraining, and hostage taking; this man is currently in custody pending extradition proceedings.
An Garda Síochána appeals to any individual 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 says it appeals to anyone with any information on these heinous crimes or suspects to speak up.
