Four people arrested and houses searched in Northern Ireland as part of people trafficking operation

Four people have been arrested and houses searched in Northern Ireland as part of a police operation targeting people trafficking.

Brothels linked to an organised crime group have been found in Omagh and Ballymena, but police believe victims may have been transported across the country.

Detectives from the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit yesterday carried out four searches, three in Ballymena and one in Omagh.

The operation targets the activities of an organised criminal gang suspected of trafficking Romanian women for sexual exploitation.

Three men aged 27, 31 and 52 and a 21-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, controlling prostitution for personal gain, keeping a brothel and money laundering.

All four are still in custody.

Detective Constable Rachel Miskelly says police believe the organised crime gang lured Romanian women to Northern Ireland with the false promise of a better quality of life.

She says they have identified one woman and provided protection during the operation, but they believe there are more women who have not yet been identified.

The police are calling on anyone with information to come forward.

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