Three charged with possessing €3.5m in prostitution probe

Three Brazilian nationals have been charged in Dublin with possessing close to €3.5 million in crime proceeds and enhancing a criminal organization. Matheus Berberick, 35, his sister Maria Berberick, 27, and Sander de Silva Pereira, 40, all face multiple counts of possessing proceeds of criminal conduct. Mr. Berberick is accused of possessing €2.3 million, his sister €470,000, and Mr. Pereira €721,000. Ms. Berberick also faces a charge for using a fake identity document.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau's specialized units focusing on organized prostitution and human trafficking. Detectives informed Judge Ciaran Liddy at Dublin District Court that the three defendants made no reply when charged. Their finances have been frozen as the investigation progresses.

The alleged offenses occurred at an unknown location within the state between March 1, 2023, and August 10, 2026. The defendants, who have yet to enter pleas, appeared in court with the assistance of interpreters and stood silently. Their defense barristers indicated that a bail application would need to be made in the High Court due to the organized crime nature of the offenses, leading to their remand in custody. They are scheduled to appear again next Friday.

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