The Modern Slavery Helpline has not disputed the use of the term human trafficking in connection with recent incidents in Newry, confirming that the terminology cannot be considered misleading. This acknowledgement is significant: it implies that the circumstances described by local and national agencies fall within the legal and moral definitions of trafficking and commonality.

Building-society incident (Newry, 27 Sep 2025): suspects are 68M, 69F, 42M; flagged via the Banking Protocol; later further arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, human trafficking, and fraud by false representation; later released while enquiries continue. Police Service of Northern Ireland

NCA case (Newry, 19 & 27 Jun 2025): suspects are 26M (and a 51M at scene); probe into money-laundering via money-service businesses; £2.6m+ cash seized; 26-year-old bailed. Different dates, people, and agencies. National Crime Agency+1

Derek Brown sentencing (6 Mar 2025): 61M convicted for trafficking linked to sexual exploitation in Belfast. Police Service of Northern Ireland

It is particularly strange that force and menaces and the removal of large funds in Newry triggered a policy in the bank for a call to the police followed only 4 months after this initial case where it alleged A 61-year-old man was sentenced today, 6 March 2025, for human trafficking, controlling prostitution for gain, sexual assault, paying for sexual services and drugs-related offences, including being concerned in the supply of a Class A controlled drug.

Derek Brown, appearing before Craigavon Crown Court, was sentenced to six years, half to be served in custody and half on licence.

Detective Inspector Rachel Miskelly of the Organised Crime Branch stated:

“The defendant was suspected of trafficking females in the Belfast area for sexual exploitation. He would supply them with drugs, using this as a means of controlling them… The courage of the young women who have spoken up is truly inspirational, and in stark contrast to the appalling actions of Derek Brown.”

These parallel developments reveal how the mechanisms of coercion—force, threats, and the control of money—continue to surface in different forms. It is particularly notable that the Newry banking-protocol alert, triggered by the forced removal of large sums of money, occurred only four months after the Belfast conviction, underlining the persistent link between financial crime, coercion, and exploitation within Northern Ireland’s trafficking landscape.

The recent investigations in Newry highlight the continuing overlap between financial coercion, trafficking, and organised exploitation.

Patterns like these echo what was later exposed in larger, international trafficking networks. While no direct evidence connects these Newry cases to the Epstein operations, the mechanisms—control through money, secrecy, and dependency—look disturbingly similar.

What matters now is full transparency: banking data, agency coordination, and public accountability. The public deserves to see how such systems can evolve and how to stop them before they reach that scale again.

Inspector Rachel Miskelly said “Our investigation, which began in March 2021, found vulnerable young women, who were regularly reported missing, being repeatedly located in Brown’s home. Here, they were found under the influence of drugs.

“Brown was suspected of exploiting four young women, whom he controlled by supplying them with drugs in return for meeting with sex buyers. He himself also engaged in sexual acts with the women.”

Detective Inspector Miskelly continued: “The females were, understandably, initially not willing to provide statements, some of them seeing the defendant as a father-type figure.

“It was following the tragic death of one of the girls that this changed.

“The courage of the young women who have spoken up is truly inspirational, and in stark contrast to the appalling actions of Derek Brown.”

• Letter To Cabinet Office
• Urgent Appeal to the King for Christmas Help in Finding Missing Child
• FORMAL EVIDENCE SUBMISSION: Verification of “abx17@dial.pipex.com” (The Invisible Man) via EFTA Records and TalkTalk Business Metadata 
• The case of Mr. Martin Newbold v Nationwide Building Society (Case Number: 1741 7947 6145 5930).
• Investigating Local Authority Failures in Child Care