Latvian Citizens Trafficked to Ireland for Forced Labour; Organised Crime Group Dismantled
Irish and Latvian authorities, with Europol and Eurojust support, dismantled an organised crime group that trafficked Latvian nationals to Ireland for labour exploitation. Two ringleaders received 11 and 13 years in Irish prison; Latvian investigation continues.
Latvian Citizens Trafficked to Ireland for Forced Labour; Organised Crime Group Dismantled
An organised crime group that trafficked Latvian nationals to Ireland for forced labour was dismantled in 2023 through a joint operation by Irish and Latvian law enforcement, supported by Europol and Eurojust. In Ireland, two individuals were convicted and sentenced to 11 and 13 years in prison for human trafficking, money laundering and document forgery. In Latvia, the investigation into the recruitment of victims continues.
The Latvian State Police launched its criminal investigation in July 2023 after receiving information from Irish authorities suggesting that a human-trafficking case under investigation in Ireland might be linked to the recruitment of victims in Latvia by an organised group. To ensure effective cross-border cooperation, a Joint Investigation Team was established with Eurojust and Europol support, enabling close collaboration between the competent authorities of both countries.
In October 2023, coordinated action days were carried out simultaneously in Ireland and Latvia. Irish authorities arrested two suspects, while Latvian police detained four individuals suspected of involvement in the organised criminal group.
Investigators found that the perpetrators recruited vulnerable people in Latvia, including individuals struggling with addiction, by promising good wages and decent accommodation. However, Irish police discovered that the victims were instead subjected to conditions akin to slavery, suffering both physical and psychological abuse.
The victims' basic needs were not met — they were denied adequate food and living conditions. They were entirely under the criminals' control, intimidated, and unable to seek help due to language barriers. Investigators estimate that the organised crime group generated at least €750,000 in profit from the forced labour of its victims.
In Ireland, the two convicted individuals were found guilty of trafficking seven Latvian nationals — six men and one woman — who had been recruited in Latvia between 2020 and 2023. The Irish court also convicted them of money laundering and document forgery.
In Latvia, the criminal investigation remains ongoing concerning the recruitment of Latvian citizens. The case is being pursued under Section 1541(3) of the Latvian Criminal Law, which covers human trafficking that endangers the victim's life, causes severe consequences, involves particular cruelty, or is committed by an organised group. This offence carries a prison sentence of five to fifteen years, with or without confiscation of property, and probationary supervision for up to three years.
Source: Apollo.lv / pmo.ee
Source: Apollo