A total of 18 people have been arrested as part of an international operation targeting a Lithuanian crime gang involved in human trafficking and drug smuggling.
The three-year investigation involving Gardaí, the PSNI, Lithuanian police and Europol led to arrests in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Kerry and Belfast yesterday.
Europol said the gang is suspected of having smuggling large amounts of heroin into Ireland.
It is also suspected of trafficking vulnerable people from Lithuania to Ireland to act as drug mules and dealers.
It said at least 65 people, “coming from a vulnerable social background or being drug addicts themselves,” were trafficked into Ireland.
Judicial authorities & police in Lithuania, UK @PoliceServiceNI and Ireland @GardaTraffic, with support from #Eurojust & @Europol, dismantled a criminal network in #drugtrafficking #moneylaundering and #THB. 18 arrests & assets worth €700 000 seized.
More:https://t.co/4ZvZ6ovOjh pic.twitter.com/3uh6yu0hCr— Eurojust (@Eurojust) August 27, 2020
Gardaí said they carried out eight searches and executed five European Arrest Warrants yesterday in Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Kerry.
The five people arrested in the Republic were brought before a special sitting of the High Court for extradition proceedings.
Four were remanded in custody and one was remanded on bail.
Meanwhile three people were arrested in Belfast. A 44-year-old man appeared in court yesterday, a 40-year-old man remains in custody and a 39-year-old woman has been released on bail.
Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll, head of the Garda Organised and Serious Crime bureau said: “The operational activity undertaken across three jurisdictions yesterday illustrates the potential to tackle suspected criminal activity engaged in by those who are involved in organised crime that has an international dimension.”
Europol said a financial investigation is now underway to trace any money laundered by the gang through “the use of complex financial transactions and purchase of assets such as real estate.”
Jari Liukku, Head of Europol’s Serious Organised Crime Centre, said: “These are fantastic results that are the culmination of a major investigation involving teams from across Europe working closely together to target criminals who are causing harm in local communities.
“I hope people are reassured by this robust and coordinated approach which sends a loud and clear message to those involved in the supply of class A drugs: we will pursue you tirelessly and relentlessly.”
