© Gript

Latvian men charged in relation to human trafficking named

|

|

Last week Gardaí in Donegal arrested 2 males (35years and 28years) in connection to Organised Crime related offences under section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007.

The men have been named as Georgijs Poniza (35) and Armen Pogosyan (28) and are both Lativan nationals with an address at Assaroe Falls, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.

The two appeared at a special sitting of Ballyshannon District Court where they were charged with four counts of human trafficking and one count of money laundering. 

 Both were refused bail with the court being told that the investigation was “complex and detailed”.

Georgijs Poniza, a father of four, is charged in relation to the laundering of  €51,100.

The court was told that four alleged victims, all Lativan nationals, were flown to Ireland and put to work in various businesses in Donegal. 

At the time of their arrest a Garda spokesperson told Gript that investigating Gardaí, “with International colleagues are investigating the alleged trafficking of persons into Ireland for the purpose of labour exploitation.”

“The arrests were made as part of an International Law Enforcement Operation which Gardaí say involves a Joint Investigation Team which has been established with Law Enforcement in Latvia. Law Enforcement activity is also being coordinated today 24th October 2023 in Latvia.”

Gardaí say the  international operation is supported by Europol and that Europol Officers are present in Donegal during this operation.

“The investigation team in Donegal is supported by Local, Divisional and National Units including the Human Trafficking Investigation & Coordination Unit (HTICU) at GNPSB, the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB), Garda Mutual Assistance Section and the Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS).” 

An Garda Síochána said they are appealing to “any person who may be the victim of human trafficking or labour exploitation to speak to a member of An Garda Síochána, either at your local Garda station or call the Garda Confidential Phone Number 1800 666 111.”

And that An Garda Síochána “understands that victims of these crimes may not always be in a position to report themselves, maybe there is opportunity to speak to a Garda who you might meet at any location.”

“Importantly, An Garda Síochána appeals to any person with any information on these heinous crimes or suspects that any person is the victim of human trafficking to speak up, talk to a member of An Garda Síochána, either at your local Garda station the Garda Confidential Phone Number 1800 666 111 or to any members of An Garda Síochána.” the statement said.