Three charged with possessing €3.5m in prostitution probe

Three Brazilian nationals have been charged with possessing nearly €3.5 million in crime proceeds and aiding a criminal organization, following a prostitution and money laundering investigation. Matheus Berberick, aged 35, his sister Maria Berberick, 27, and Sander de Silva Pereira, 40, were remanded in custody by Judge Ciaran Liddy at Dublin District Court.

The charges stem from investigations by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau's (GNPSB) organized prostitution and human trafficking units. Berberick faces charges for possessing €2.3 million, his sister €470,000, and Pereira €721,000 in alleged criminal proceeds. In addition, Maria Berberick is charged with using a fake identity document as a false instrument.

The three defendants made no reply when charged, and their finances remain frozen. Detectives Dwayne O'Brien, Jason Guing, and Róisín Reynolds informed the court that the trio's finances are currently frozen. The alleged offenses took place in an undisclosed location in Ireland between March 1, 2023, and August 10, 2026. The defendants have not yet entered pleas and will appear in court again on Friday.

Their defense attorneys, Kevin McCrave and Paddy Flynn, stated that due to an organized crime-related offense, a bail application will have to be made in the High Court, leading to their automatic remand in prison.