A 29-year-old woman arrested in Newry on Saturday has been charged with human trafficking for sexual exploitation. The woman was also charged with controlling prostitution for gain and money laundering, after being arrested by officers from the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit during the early hours of Saturday morning on the Tandragee Road in the city.
According to Detective Chief Inspector, Mark Bell, a team of officers from the human trafficking unit working together with Newry PSNI’s Serious Crime branch made the arrest as part of a proactive investigation into human trafficking for sexual exploitation and the activities of a criminal gang believed to be operating in Northern Ireland.
Commenting on the news of the arrest, Newry & Armagh MP Mickey Brady described the practice of human trafficking as “a particularly heinous form of organised crime” and he urged people to look out for the signs of slavery.
“Human trafficking, also known as modern-day slavery, is a particularly heinous form of organised crime which involves controlling or exploiting another person for financial gain and can include forcing someone to work against their will, refusing to pay them wages, or forcing them into prostitution,” said the Sinn Fein MP.
“Vulnerable women and children in particular, falsely enticed here by the prospects of employment, education and a better life, can find themselves the victims of domestic servitude or sexual exploitation,” he added.
“This cannot be allowed to continue. I urge people to be alert to this growing crime and to watch out for signs of slavery. Should they spot anything suspicious they should contact police immediately.”
The woman is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today, Monday 5 February.
As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the PPS.