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158 arrests in international operation targeting human trafficking and exploitation
Nearly 1,200 potential victims of human trafficking have been identified in a large-scale international operation involving law enforcement from 43 countries, Interpol announced on Friday, July 11. The operation led to the arrest of 158 suspects in June and focused on combating sexual exploitation, forced criminal activity, and forced begging.
Coordinated global effort
The operation, conducted between June 1 and June 6, was led by Austrian and Romanian authorities with support from Interpol, Europol, and Frontex. It uncovered a network of victims originating from 64 countries, including Romania, Ukraine, Colombia, and China. Many victims were transported across national and even continental borders.
According to Interpol, over 15,000 law enforcement agents participated in the operation. “The majority of identified victims of sexual exploitation were adult women,” the organization stated. In contrast, children were more frequently exploited for forced begging or coerced into criminal activities, such as pickpocketing. Alarmingly, many child victims were exploited by members of their own families.
Human trafficking and prostitution networks dismantled
The operation dismantled several trafficking and exploitation networks. In Brazil, federal police uncovered a human trafficking ring that lured victims with fake job offers before transporting them to Myanmar for sexual exploitation.
In Italy, police raids on massage parlors identified 75 potential victims, primarily from Romania, China, and Colombia. Authorities also seized drugs and firearms during the operation.
Meanwhile, in Thailand, police took down a prostitution ring involving minors that operated through a popular social media platform.
This international crackdown highlights the persistent dangers of human trafficking and the collaborative efforts required to address this global crime.