The joint activities focused on detecting and disrupting organised crime groups involved in the trafficking of human beings, in particular child trafficking, sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging.
This annual operation took place with coordination and support from Europol, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and INTERPOL under the EMPACT framework.
An Garda Síochána was assisted during this week of action by the Border Management Unit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, the Workplace Relations Commission, Ruhama and local Garda Immigration Officers throughout the country.
During the operation, the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) liaised with Divisional Protective Services Units and Serious Crime Units across Ireland and coordinated an intensive week of welfare visits to suspected brothels and massage parlours to detect potential incidents of sexual exploitation.
Gardaí inspected brothels nationwide and in total 166 brothels were inspected and 269 sex workers of various nationalities were interviewed.
No victims of human trafficking were detected, however they were provided with information and advice should they wish to speak to An Garda Síochána further.
On Monday 8th June 2026, members of the GNPSB were present in Dublin, Cork and Knock Airports where 64 flights were monitored with the assistance of the Border Management Unit (BMU) in Dublin Airport and local Immigration Officers in Cork and Knock Airports.
Additionally members of the Kerry Divisional Protective Services Unit were present at Kerry Airport and monitored flights with the assistance of local Immigration Officers.
In total 10,640 passengers were inspected at the four airports. As well as monitoring flights, Gardaí carried out a high-visibility awareness campaign in the arrivals hall of each airport, engaging with the public to help identify indicators of human trafficking.
On Tuesday 9th June , members of the GNPSB were present in Dublin and Shannon Airports where 45 flights were monitored with the assistance of the Border Management Unit (BMU) in Dublin Airport and local Immigration Officers in Shannon Airport. In total 6,517 passengers were inspected at the two airports.
In addition to monitoring flights, Gardaí carried out a high-visibility awareness campaign in the arrivals hall of both airports, engaging with the public to help identify signs of human trafficking.
On Wednesday 10th June 2026, members of the GNPSB were present at Dublin Port where they monitored arrivals throughout the day. In total 113 passengers, 374 cars and 169 lorries were inspected with the assistance of local Immigration Officers.
On Thursday 11th June 2026, members of the GNPSB were present at Rosslare Port where they monitored arrivals throughout the day. In total 181 lorries were inspected with the assistance of local Immigration Officers.
In total 17,452 people were inspected at airports and seaports throughout the week.
Some notable activities from the week include:
• Arrest at a massage parlour in Cork of a man (50s) on foot of an outstanding European Arrest Warrant from Germany for the offence of child kidnapping, illegal restraining and hostage taking. The man is currently in custody pending extradition proceedings.
• Prosecution for purchase of sexual services in Co. Meath.
• Seizure of over €25,000 from two suspects.
• Positive engagement with sex workers reported throughout the country.
• It is estimated that Gardaí engaged with one quarter of all sex workers advertising nationally throughout the week.
In preparation for this operation, An Garda Síochána participated in an online hackathon in May 2026.
The goal was to generate high-quality intelligence to bolster the operation’s effectiveness. Thirty-two countries, including Ireland, took part in the hackathon.
An Garda Síochána will continue to work closely with Europol and other law enforcement partners in the identification of victims so they can be removed from harm.
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 appeals to anyone with any information on these heinous crimes or suspects to speak up.
As part of an investigation launched during Operation Global Chain conducted by the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit (OPIU) and the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit (HTICU) at GNPSB into brothel keeping and money laundering in the Limerick Division, a search and arrest operation took place in Limerick on Tuesday 30th June 2026.
More than €840,000 in cash was seized and a man in his 50s was arrested. He was subsequently charged and appeared before Limerick District Court on Thursday 2nd July 2026 where he was remanded on bail to 1st October 2026.
Further details on human trafficking and sexual exploitation can be found at www.blueblindfold.ie