PSNI Welcomes Swedish Prostitution Sentencing

The PSNI has welcomed sentences imposed on two individuals arrested during a joint investigation with Swedish police into offences linked to trafficking and prostitution.

Ilie Ionut, 31 and Ancuta Schwarz, 28, were each jailed for four years. Schwarz was arrested in Belfast earlier this year and extradited to Sweden. Ionut was arrested in Romania.

Speaking in Stockholm, Detective Chief Inspector Douglas Grant, from Organised Crime Branch, said: "I am delighted to be here in Sweden today to acknowledge a successful outcome to a joint operation involving the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Swedish police.

"Operation Burgrave is an investigation into an Organised Crime Group suspected of involvement in controlling prostitution and human trafficking in Northern Ireland and Sweden.

"Two defendants have been found guilty in Sweden and sentenced to four years in jail. They have also received a substantial fine.

"This operation has been made possible through a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) agreement between the UK and Sweden.

"I would like to thank Eurojust, the EU agency set up to promote co-ordination between member states in relation to serious and organised crime, for its funding assistance for this operation. I would also like to thank Europol for its assistance and support.

"PSNI officers will now be involved in discussions with the Public Prosecution Service in Belfast to explore how matters may be progressed in Northern Ireland. For this reason, I am unable to comment further."

(IT/CD)