Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0408Organised crime, brothel keeping, money laundering, organised prostitution · Co. Dublin · 10 Aug 2026

Three arrested in Garda operation targeting organised crime and prostitution in Dublin

Three Brazilian nationals were arrested on 10 August 2026 in a Garda National Protective Services Bureau operation targeting organised prostitution and brothel keeping in Dublin. Matheus Berberick, 35, his sister Maria Berberick, 27, and Sander de Silva Pereira, 40, were charged with enhancing a criminal organisation and possessing close to €3.5 million in proceeds of criminal conduct, with individual amounts of €2.3 million, €470,000 and €721,000 respectively. Maria Berberick also faces a charge of using a fake identity document as a false instrument. The three were remanded in custody by Judge Ciaran Liddy at Dublin District Court on 14 August 2026 and are due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice for a bail application. Investigations into the operation are ongoing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court14 Aug
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Three Brazilian nationals were arrested in a Garda National Protective Services Bureau operation targeting organised prostitution, brothel keeping and money laundering in Dublin.
Where
The suspects have addresses in Tallaght, Dublin, and the operation targeted areas in Dublin 24 and Dublin 1.
When
The offences allegedly took place from 1 March 2023 to 10 August 2026, and the arrests were made on 10 August 2026.
Charges
  • The three were charged with enhancing a criminal organisation and possessing close to €3.5 million in proceeds of criminal conduct.
  • Matheus Berberick faces a charge of possessing €2.3 million in proceeds of criminal conduct.
  • Sander de Silva Pereira faces a charge of possessing €721,000 in proceeds of criminal conduct.
  • Maria Berberick faces a charge of possessing €470,000 in proceeds of criminal conduct and an additional charge for using a fake identity document as a false instrument.
In court
  • The three were remanded in custody by Judge Ciaran Liddy at Dublin District Court on Friday, 14 August 2026.
  • The three are due to appear before Court 4 of the Criminal Courts of Justice on 14 August 2026 at 10:30am, where a bail application must be made in the High Court due to the organised crime-related offence.
Investigation
Investigations into the operation are ongoing.
Other details
  • The defendants stood silently throughout the hearing with the assistance of interpreters, and no application for legal aid was made.
  • The Garda National Protective Services Unit appealed to vulnerable sex workers to seek support through Blindfold.ie or the Ruhama charity.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereMatheus Berberick, 35, is from Raheen Close, Tallaght. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereSander de Silva Pereira, 40, has an address at Loftus Hall, Tallaght. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences allegedly took place from March 1st, 2023, until August 10th, 2026. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationInvestigations into the operation are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • chargeThree individuals arrested in the investigation have been charged. (garda.ie)
  • chargeThree Brazilian nationals were charged with possessing close to €3.5 million in crime proceeds and enhancing a criminal organisation. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMatheus Berberick faces a charge of possessing €2.3 million in proceeds of criminal conduct. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeSander de Silva Pereira faces a charge of possessing €721,000 in proceeds of criminal conduct. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMaria Berberick faces an additional charge for using a fake identity document as a false instrument. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe three are due to appear before Court 4 of the Criminal Courts of Justice on 14 August 2026 at 10:30am. (garda.ie)
  • courtThe three were remanded in custody by Judge Ciaran Liddy at Dublin District Court on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA bail application must be made in the High Court due to the organised crime-related offence. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNo application for legal aid was made. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defendants stood silently throughout the hearing with the assistance of interpreters. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe Garda National Protective Services Unit appealed to vulnerable sex workers to seek support through Blindfold.ie or the Ruhama charity. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Aug2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Three charged with possessing nearly €3.5m following prostitution investigation

    Details the specific charges, amounts per defendant, the additional false instrument charge against Maria Berberick, the court proceedings before Judge Ciaran Liddy, and the remand to appear in the High Court for bail.

    accused, Matheus Berberick, 35, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishMatheus Berberickaccused, Maria Berberick, 27, female, Brazilian, named, non-irishMaria Berberickaccused, Sander de Silva Pereira, 40, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishSander de Silva Pereira
  2. 14 Aug2026
    In courtgarda.ie, follow-up
    14/08/2026 Court Appearance - GNPSB Operation Targeting Brothel Keeping and Organised Prostitution, Dublin 24 and Dublin 1, Monday 10th August 2026

    Confirms the three arrested have been charged and appeared before Court 4 of the Criminal Courts of Justice on 14 August 2026 at 10:30am.

    suspectsuspectsuspect