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Four people have been charged as part of an operation to target human trafficking.

Three men - aged 27, 31 and 52, and a 21-year-old woman were arrested on Tuesday after searches in Ballymena and Omagh.

The operation focuses on the activities of an organised crime group suspected of trafficking Romanian women for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

The four men were charged on Wednesday with a number of offences including controlling prostitution for gain and using criminal property.

They are due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

As is usual procedure all charges will be reviewed by the PPS.