Two Men Plead Guilty to Human Trafficking, Money Laundering in Ireland

Georgijs Poniza, 37, from Latvia, and Armen Pogosyan, 30, from Uzbekistan, pleaded guilty at Letterkenny Circuit Criminal Court to human trafficking, money laundering, and forgery offenses. They will be sentenced next month following a large-scale investigation into labor exploitation in Ireland's north west.

The prosecution, led by Patricia McLaughlin SC, marked the country's first conviction of its type for human trafficking for labor exploitation. Seven victims—one female and six males, aged 40s to 60s—were recruited by deception in Latvia with promises of a €350 weekly salary, accommodation, and a better life. Instead, they were treated like slaves, suffering an estimated €120,000 loss of earnings.

The criminality occurred from December 2020 to October 2023. Victims, who had little or no English, were unaware they were going to Donegal. They received substandard accommodation in Rossnowlagh and Ballyshannon, controlled by the defendants. They were denied payslips, had PPS numbers controlled, and wages were managed via shell companies. Threats of violence were issued for disobedience, and one victim was assaulted after attempting to escape multiple times.

Victims described being like «fish in a can» and feeling like prisoners. They were transported to various locations for work, often sleeping on workplace floors and waiting hours for transport. One victim, assisted by the Latvian Embassy, was assaulted and had his passport taken after returning to Ireland. Another, suffering from epilepsy, endured psychological pressure and homelessness. The accused spent over €120,000 at an amusement arcade. Poniza's forensic psychology report indicated a traumatic childhood and PTSD.