DUBLIN, Ireland: Four people have been arrested in Dublin this week as part of a major international police operation targeting a suspected organised crime group involved in human trafficking, organised prostitution, and running brothels.

The group included one woman in her 20s and three men — two in their 30s and one in his 20s.

The arrests were made during a large, coordinated "day of action" on September 4. The operation was organised in partnership with the Brazilian Federal Police and Europol, showing the cross-border scale of the investigation. At the same time as searches took place in Dublin, police in Brazil also carried out raids.

In Dublin, gardaí searched four separate locations in the city centre, one of which was an active brothel where 10 women were found working. Gardaí believe these women may be victims of human trafficking.

Detective Superintendent Derek Maguire, who is leading the operation, said the investigation had uncovered evidence of a "very sophisticated" Brazilian crime network that has been operating in Ireland for several years. He explained that many of the women discovered may be living in fear, controlled entirely by the gang.

All four people arrested are being held at different garda stations in Dublin under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, which allows extended detention in serious criminal cases.

The operation has involved many different parts of An Garda Síochána. Officers from local stations, national units, divisional teams, and armed units are all supporting the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, which is leading the investigation. Europol and the Brazilian Federal Police also had officers physically present in Dublin during the searches. At the same time, a member of An Garda Síochána is working with Brazilian authorities on the ground in Brazil.

The Garda has appealed directly to anyone who may be a victim of human trafficking in Ireland to come forward. People can approach any garda at their local station or call the Garda confidential phone line at 1800 666 111.

The arrests mark a significant move against a long-standing international crime group, but gardaí say the priority now is to protect victims who may have been trapped in a cycle of exploitation and fear for many years.