Three Brazilian nationals are facing serious organised crime charges after a Garda investigation allegedly uncovered a network spanning 17 properties across Ireland, almost €3.5 million in suspected criminal proceeds and properties allegedly being used as brothels.
Matheus Berberick, 35, his sister Maria Berberick, 27, and Sander de Silva Pereira, 40, were arrested following an investigation by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau into human trafficking, organised prostitution, brothel keeping, money laundering and the use of a false identity document.
The three, who were living in Tallaght, have been accused of being involved in an organised criminal operation that allegedly used rented properties around Ireland to facilitate prostitution and generate substantial amounts of money.
None of the allegations have been proven in court and the three have not yet entered pleas.
What Gardaí allege happened
According to evidence presented during High Court bail proceedings, the alleged operation involved leasing 17 properties across Ireland and using them to operate as brothels.
Nine of the properties were in Dublin, with others located in Wexford, Cavan, Laois and Kildare.
The State alleges that the properties were deliberately leased to facilitate organised prostitution rather than being unrelated rental properties.
Investigators also believe some of the properties had connections to another organised crime group.
The Garda investigation began as an inquiry into human trafficking and organised prostitution before expanding to include allegations of brothel keeping, money laundering and the use of a false instrument.
Almost €3.5 million in alleged criminal proceeds
The financial side of the investigation is central to the charges.
The three are accused of possessing substantial sums representing the proceeds of criminal conduct:
| Defendant | Amount alleged |
|---|---|
| Matheus Berberick | €2.3 million |
| Maria Berberick | €479,000 |
| Sander de Silva Pereira | €721,000 |
| Total | Almost €3.5 million |
The State alleges that the money was moved through a complex network of accounts and businesses.
A forensic accountant who examined companies linked to two of the men found that the firms had no employees and no records of VAT returns, the High Court was told.
The prosecution alleges that the businesses appeared legitimate but were being used as part of a sophisticated and extensive money laundering operation.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place between March 1st, 2023 and August 10th, 2026.
The alleged prostitution network
The court heard that the properties were allegedly being used by sex workers, with investigators describing the women involved as coming from poor socioeconomic backgrounds.
The investigation has also involved allegations of human trafficking, although the three defendants’ individual roles in relation to those allegations will have to be established during the proceedings.
Gardaí have identified 40 witnesses and gathered 801 exhibits as part of the investigation.
WhatsApp messages are also among the evidence collected.
How the investigation developed
The investigation was carried out by specialist units within the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, which deals with areas including human trafficking and organised prostitution.
Detective Sergeant Michael McGrath told the court that the investigation had developed into a major inquiry involving the three defendants and an alleged organised crime group.
The Gardaí described the defendants as “essential cogs” in what investigators called the “Berberick organised crime group”.
The State’s case is that the three played roles in an operation involving property, financial transactions and the processing of alleged criminal proceeds.
However, the exact roles attributed to each defendant remain matters for the criminal proceedings.
Their immigration history
The court also heard details about the defendants’ immigration history in Ireland.
They were described during the bail hearing as undocumented and had been subject to deportation proceedings after being found in the State in 2018. They nevertheless remained in Ireland.
In 2022, Matheus Berberick applied under the undocumented migrant scheme and subsequently obtained Stamp 4 permission to remain in Ireland.
The State alleges that the offences now before the courts were committed after that permission was granted.
Public court reporting has not established the specific towns or states in Brazil from which the three originated, nor has reliable reporting established detailed employment or family histories before their arrival in Ireland.
Why are they facing organised crime charges?
The three have been charged with enhancing a criminal organisation as well as multiple counts of possessing proceeds of criminal conduct.
The charge of enhancing a criminal organisation carries a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.
Maria Berberick also faces an additional charge relating to the use of a false identity document as a false instrument.
When they were formally charged, Gardaí told the District Court that none of the three made a reply.
Why were two of them refused bail?
Because the charges involve organised crime, the bail applications were heard in the High Court.
The State argued that the defendants presented a significant flight risk, pointing in part to their immigration history and the seriousness of the allegations.
Justice Siobhán Lankford refused bail to Matheus and Maria Berberick, finding that they presented a flight risk.
Pereira was granted bail after the judge found that the case against him was not as strong. He was required to provide a €9,000 independent surety and comply with conditions.
What does the defence say?
The defence has challenged aspects of the State’s case.
Lawyers representing Matheus and Maria Berberick pointed out that neither sibling has been charged with brothel keeping.
The defence also told the court that the brother and sister had given Gardaí accounts of their respective roles.
The allegations against all three remain untested.
What happens next?
The case is continuing through the Irish courts, with the defendants facing serious charges arising from an investigation that Gardaí say has uncovered a substantial alleged criminal network.
The scale of the investigation is already clear from the evidence disclosed in court: 17 properties, almost €3.5 million in alleged criminal proceeds, 40 witnesses and 801 exhibits.
The case is due to return to court, where further evidence and legal arguments will be considered.
The three defendants remain legally presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty.
