Three women arrested in a major cross-border offensive against prostitution have pleaded guilty to running a brothel in Belfast.
The women, Polish nationals, each received suspended two-month prison sentences.
They were also charged with possession of criminal property.
Sandra Polewska and Milena Tarnowska, both aged 23, and 27-year-old Marta Kozakowska were detained in raids in Northern Ireland.
Kozakowska admitted a third offence of obstructing police by swallowing a mobile phone SIM card when police entered their apartment yesterday.
Belfast Magistrates' Court heard the women were the only ones involved in an unsophisticated brothel based at Alfred Street.
The court was told that human trafficking did not feature in the case.
The judge accepted there were no allegations of exploitation and gave the women credit for pleading guilty to brothel-keeping and having criminal property.
She imposed two-month jail terms for each offence, suspending the sentences for 18 months.
Kozakowska was given another, concurrent, one-month suspended sentence for obstructing police.
Eight people in total were arrested as part of ''Operation Quest'', an investigation into organised prostitution, carried out by gardaí and the PSNI.
Two other women arrested in Northern Ireland in yesterday's operation have been released on bail pending further inquiries.
Gardaí say two of the three people arrested in the Republic have been released without charge.
Files will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The third person appeared in court earlier today.
Searches were carried out at over 120 houses, apartments and flats on both sides of the border.
Some of the premises were being used as brothels.
The PSNI said three suspected victims of human trafficking were rescued and taken to places of safety.
Ruhama, the organisation that deals with women who are victims of prostitution, welcomed the operation and commended the fact that it targeted those organising and controlling prostitution.
PSNI Detective Superintendent Philip Marshall said: "We are determined to actually do something about this problem. It is not something society should stand for, it is a criminal offence and police do take it seriously."
He said yesterday's events demonstrated the commitment of the PSNI, gardaí and other law enforcement agencies across Europe.
The operation south of the border, which involved more than 200 officers, was led by members of the Organised Crime Unit based at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation supported by officers from all regions.
A garda spokesman said: "During the investigation to date it has been established that prostitution is organised on a cross-border basis and today's joint operation was specifically aimed at individuals and groups intent on making profits from vulnerable members of society across the island of Ireland.
"The policy of An Garda Síochána is to treat women involved as witnesses/victims unless significant evidence comes to light suggesting direct involvement in organised prostitution or brothel keeping.
"Specific training has been provided to gardaí investigating this type of crime who continue to liaise closely with various support groups working in this area."
Ruhama’s Gerardine Rowley said the cross-border operation was a new approach to helping victims of prostitution, who would be treated as witnesses.
Almost 60 alleged victims of human trafficking - including six Irish children - were reported to gardaí last year.
