A 33-YEAR-OLD is due to appear in court this morning charged in connection with an ongoing human trafficking investigation.

The man was arrested in Dublin yesterday evening.

An investigation into human trafficking of Polish nationals by organised criminal groups for sexual exploitation began in February 2012.

During the course of the investigation a number of female victims were identified and interviewed by gardaí. Those identified are continuing to receive support from Ruhama and the HSE.

Five suspects were arrested and detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007. They were released without charge and a comprehensive investigation file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The man due to appear before a sitting of Dublin District Court this morning is the third person to face charges as part of this investigation.

The investigation was led by gardaí attached to Operation Quest, Garda National Protective Service Bureau and supported by the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit, Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau, National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, District Detective Units based at Store Street and Athlone Garda Stations.

Valuable assistance was also provided by the Polish National Trafficking Unit, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Europol and Interpol.

Read: The HSE has been offered an additional 1,000 beds this winter>