A former PSNI officer in the North has been charged with human trafficking and controlling prostitution.
Simon Dempsey (39) with an address in East Street, Newtownards was charged with two counts of trafficking within the UK, and with controlling prostitution at Laganside Magistrates court in Belfast today
Ms Chen Rong, a 32-year-old Chinese national, with address in Kidderminster, Worcestershire was charged with the same offences.
Six women were rescued on Thursday from brothels raided by police in Belfast and Derry.
All of the rescued women are understood to be Chinese who police believe were tricked into coming to Northern Ireland on the promise of cleaning and nannying jobs.
The PSNI-led operation involved officers from the West Midlands and West Mercia police forces. The UK-wide Serious Organised Crime Agency’s Vulnerable Persons Unit also provided support.
Officers said the women rescued by police had been forced into prostitution but were now in the care of the Serious Organised Crime Agency.