Jan.21, 2010, 3:20pm

A local couple due to stand trial for human trafficking, controlling prostitution and money laundering have admitted to a string of charges in a dramatic turn of events.

Last Friday, Thomas Carroll, aged 48, and 31-year-old Shamiela Clark, formerly of Gateway Lodge, Castlemartin, near Pembroke, admitted conspiracy to money launder and control prostitution after a week of legal arguments at Cardiff Crown Court.

The pair were arrested in Pembrokeshire by Dyfed-Powys Police on December 3, 2008, as part of a long-running police operation targeting an organised crime gang involved in human trafficking, controlling prostitution and money laundering.

Carroll’s daughter Toma Carroll, of County Carlow, Ireland, was arrested just weeks later. The 25-year-old also pleaded guilty to money laundering on Friday.

All charges of human trafficking were withdrawn from the case.

The multi-agency operation, which led to the three arrests, was spearheaded by detectives from Northern Ireland Police Service’s Serious Organised Crime Branch, in partnership with the Serious Organised Crime Agency and An Garda Siochana.

Detective Chief Superintendent Essie Adair, head of the Organised Crime Squad, said at the time of the arrests: “Our inquiries began last year and have involved activity in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Wales and even South Africa.

“This cross-border,inter-continental element has been brought about because we believe the gang was using mobile phones and the internet to run its operations.” “We believe we have dismantled an organised crime gang which was operating in three jurisdictions in Europe and has links to South Africa,” he added.

The trio, which has been remanded in custody since being arrested, will now appear for sentencing at Cardiff Crown court on Thursday, February 4.