Global Anti-Trafficking Operation Nets Hundreds
Nearly 1,200 victims identified in coordinated effort spanning continents.
A far-reaching international crackdown on human trafficking has resulted in over 150 arrests and the identification of nearly 1,200 victims. The victims were being exploited for sexual purposes, forced labor, and coerced begging.
Operation “Global Chain”
The six-day operation, known as “Global Chain,” brought together nearly 15,000 law enforcement officers from 43 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, according to Interpol.
Law enforcement targeted organized criminal groups that traffic people, often underage, for sexual exploitation, forced criminal activity, and coerced begging, Europol stated.
According to Interpol, Italian authorities conducted raids on several massage parlors suspected of being linked to sexual exploitation, where they identified 75 possible trafficking victims.
“Human trafficking is a brutal and devastating crime that strips people of their dignity, freedom, and humanity, preying on the most vulnerable, including children,”
—David Caunter, director of organised and emerging crime at Interpol
The operation led to 158 arrests and the identification of 205 additional suspects; 1,194 potential victims were located. A similar operation in 2023 led to roughly 200 arrests and the identification of over 1,300 victims.
Victims and Arrests Across Continents
Spearheaded by Austrian and Romanian authorities, the operation focused mainly on Europe, but arrests also occurred in Thailand, Nigeria, and Vietnam.
In Malta, police rescued three Colombian women—two sisters and their aunt. An Italian national had offered them cleaning jobs, Europol reported. Upon arrival, the suspect confiscated their passports, claiming it was to arrange work permits, and then used the lack of permits to force them into prostitution.
In Austria, seven arrests were made involving a Romanian family gang. The gang allegedly used the “lover-boy” method to entice women into sexual exploitation and forced criminal activities under the guise of a romantic relationship. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, in 2022, 3,933 cases of human trafficking were reported in the United States alone (NHTH 2022).
Global Reach of Trafficking
Potential trafficking victims came from 64 countries. However, most originated from Romania, Ukraine, Colombia, China, and Hungary, authorities reported. The operation also led to the seizure of €277,669 (£240,351) in cash, 30 firearms, 65 fraudulent documents, and a ton of cannabis.
