Sixteen potential human trafficking victims were rescued in south Armagh. Officers searched premises in Newtownhamilton last Friday and spent a number of days working with colleagues in partner agencies to identify the individuals who may have been trafficked. The operation focused on eastern Europeans working in the agricultural sector. Detectives from the PSNI Human Trafficking Unit are working with colleagues in HM Revenue and Customs, the Gangmasters’ Licensing Authority, the Health and Safety Executive and local police. The potential victims, men and women aged between 18 and 45, are being cared for by Migrant Help and Women's Aid as part of the Department of Justice's human trafficking support network. They will be assessed for referral to the UK Human Trafficking Centre, which is run by the National Crime Agency. In a separate investigation, in Belfast, five potential victims of trafficking were identified and are being looked after by police and partner agencies.