26/04/2013

Two Women To Be Deported Following Brothel Bust

Two women have been remanded in custody and are due to be deported to Sweden following a number of properties, believed to be brothels, were searched in greater Belfast.

Ancuta Schwarz, 27, and Aura Gabriela Anghel, 20, appeared at Belfast Crown Court today after being arrested on Thursday.

Both women deny the charges.

The pair were arrested following an operation carried out by the PSNI and Swedish police against human trafficking on.

Two suspected victims were also rescued in the operation.

A spokesperson said police from both countries have been working for months on Operation Burgrave.

A number of items including documents, phones and computers have been removed for detailed examination by investigators.

The PSNI are also investigating suspected money laundering.

The officer in charge of the PSNI Organised Crime Branch investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Douglas Grant, said: "Working with law enforcement colleagues in various parts of Europe, we believe we have halted the activities of an organised crime gang involved in controlling prostitution and human trafficking in Northern Ireland, Sweden and Romania."

(CD)

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