Twenty-one potential victims of human trafficking have been "rescued" in south Armagh and greater Belfast in one of the largest operations this year.
In two separate operations, 16 alleged victims of labour exploitation were removed from an agricultural setting in south Armagh while five others thought to have been trafficked were located in Belfast, the PSNI said.
In south Armagh, police searched premises in Newtownhamilton last Friday and have spent the intervening days working with partner agencies to identify the people who may have been trafficked.
The PSNI said the proactive operation was focused on Eastern Europeans working in the agricultural sector.
The men and women, aged between 18 and 45, are now being cared for by Migrant Help and Women's Aid as part of the Department of Justice's human trafficking support network.
Detectives from the PSNI's Human Trafficking Unit worked with colleagues in HM Revenue and Customs, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, the Health and Safety Executive and local PSNI officers.
PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Douglas Grant, from Serious Crime Branch, said: "In terms of the number of potential victims, this is one of the largest operations we have mounted in the past year. Due to the numbers involved, and the challenges posed by language issues, it will take some time to form a clear picture of what exactly has taken place.
"But we are following a number of definite lines of inquiry and our investigation will continue for some time.
"Our priorities are clear: we will work with partner agencies to establish the histories and circumstances of these potential victims and seek to ensure they are provided with every possible assistance which is available through the National Referral Mechanism and the UK Human Trafficking Centre.
"At the same time, we will progress our investigation to establish how these people came to Northern Ireland and the arrangements under which they were working. Any evidence of illegal activity will be brought before the courts."
Inspector Grant urged employers in every sector of business to ensure they are operating within the law in terms of accessing labour and offering employees appropriate terms and conditions, adding that police will "investigate any evidence of exploitation or trafficking".
Mr Grant said the five potential victims of trafficking identified in Belfast were being looked after by police and partner agencies.
Stormont's Justice Minister David Ford welcomed the action.
"Forced labour is a form of modern day slavery and there is no place for it in any society," he said in regard to the South Armagh operation.
"I welcome the operation to assist these men and women who may have been cruelly exploited for the financial gain of others. They are now being given extensive support while the circumstances are investigated.
"This type of cruelty has no place in our community," he said.
