Key facts
- Over 1,000 people were arrested in a global crackdown on human trafficking.
- The operation, coordinated by Interpol, spanned 59 countries.
- 2,070 victims or potential victims were identified, with the majority being women.
- Trafficking networks involved in sexual exploitation, forced labor, online scamming, and coerced begging were targeted.
- An emerging trend of Latin American victims being trafficked for forced labor in Europe was identified.
An international operation coordinated by Interpol has led to the arrest of over 1,000 individuals involved in human trafficking across 59 countries. The initiative, dubbed Operation Global Chain, targeted various forms of exploitation including sexual exploitation, forced labor, criminality, and coerced begging.
Authorities successfully dismantled networks responsible for trafficking victims into online scamming operations in Cambodia and forcing underage girls, recruited via social media, into sex work in Europe. In total, 2,070 victims or potential victims were identified, with the vast majority being women. The arrests included 334 for human trafficking and 690 for associated crimes.
Interpol, in collaboration with Europol and Frontex, highlighted evolving trafficking routes and methods. A notable trend identified was the trafficking of Latin American victims for forced labor in Europe, with approximately 10% of identified victims being minors from the Americas subjected to sexual exploitation. Colombia launched an airport prevention campaign to combat fraudulent overseas job offers.
Specific operations included Brazilian Federal Police identifying 406 victims of a network trafficking individuals to Cambodia for online scamming. Argentinian police rescued two Bolivian child victims forced to work in a grocery store, leading to arrests. Belgian authorities arrested 17 suspects after dismantling a network that allegedly held victims recruited via social media captive for prostitution rings across Belgium and France.
The operation, which took place from June 8 to 12, involved 40,000 officers from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. The findings indicated that most victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation, while 20% were forced into criminality, 11% into labor, and 2% into forced begging. Victims identified have been referred to national support services, and 465 investigations have been initiated. An additional 201 suspects were identified. Countries such as the UK, US, France, Germany, Spain, Nigeria, Thailand, and Vietnam participated.
Interpol Secretary Valdecy Urquiza described human trafficking as one of the most profitable and pervasive forms of organized crime, generating billions annually and causing severe harm to victims. He emphasized that the operation's success demonstrated the effectiveness of international cooperation in disrupting criminal networks.