The "Global Chain" operation coordinated by Interpol and national authorities has led to 158 arrests and the identification of 1,194 potential victims, predominantly targeted at vulnerable populations including minors.
Global Crackdown on Human Trafficking Yields Over 150 Arrests and Nearly 1,200 Victims Identified
Global Crackdown on Human Trafficking Yields Over 150 Arrests and Nearly 1,200 Victims Identified
A six-day international operation against human trafficking led to significant arrests and victim identification across multiple continents.
In early June, a collaborative effort by law enforcement agencies from 43 countries culminated in a major crackdown on human trafficking, resulting in over 150 arrests and the identification of nearly 1,200 victims. This six-day initiative, known as "Global Chain," mobilized nearly 15,000 officers across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, as reported by Interpol.
Europol detailed that the operation focused on dismantling organized criminal networks that exploit individuals, particularly minors, for various forms of exploitation, including sexual exploitation and forced labor. According to David Caunter, director of organized and emerging crime at Interpol, the human trafficking crisis disproportionately affects the most vulnerable, often subjecting them to severe human rights violations.
Notable outcomes of the operation included the freeing of three Colombian women in Malta, tricked by an Italian agent into believing they would work as cleaners. Upon their arrival, their passports were seized, and they were coerced into prostitution. In Austria, law enforcement dismantled a family-based gang employing the "lover-boy" technique to lure women under the guise of romantic relationships. In separate actions in Italy, police raided multiple massage parlors linked to sexual exploitation and identified numerous potential trafficking victims.
The operation's scope spanned 64 countries, with high numbers of victims originating from Romania, Ukraine, Colombia, China, and Hungary. Authorities also seized significant assets, including nearly €280,000 in cash, firearms, and large quantities of drugs and fraudulent documentation.
Last year, a similar operation led to the apprehension of 200 suspects and over 1,300 identified victims, reflecting the ongoing challenge of combating human trafficking on a global scale.
