Over 1,000 Arrested in Global Human Trafficking Crackdown
A coordinated Interpol operation across 59 countries led to more than 1,000 arrests and the identification of over 2,000 victims, mostly women and minors subjected to sexual exploitation and forced labor.
Interpol, in collaboration with Europol and Frontex, has conducted a major crackdown on human trafficking, resulting in the arrest of more than 1,000 individuals. The operation, named Global Chain, took place from June 8 to 12, involving 40,000 officers from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
A total of 2,070 victims or potential victims were identified, the vast majority being women. Of those arrested, 334 were for human trafficking and 690 for related crimes. Several networks were dismantled, including one trafficking victims into online scamming in Cambodia and another that recruited underage girls via social media and forced them into sex work in Europe. In Belgium, 17 suspects were arrested after a network that held victims captive and forced them into prostitution rings in Belgium and France was broken up.
Interpol noted emerging trends, such as Latin American victims being trafficked for forced labor in Europe. About 10% of identified victims were minors from the Americas subjected to sexual exploitation. Colombian authorities launched an airport prevention campaign to warn about fraudulent job offers abroad. Brazil's Federal Police identified 406 victims—83 Brazilians and 323 foreign nationals—of a transnational network trafficking people to Cambodia for forced online scamming. Argentinian police rescued two Bolivian child victims forced to work in a grocery store and made arrests.
Overall, the operation led to 465 investigations and identified 201 additional suspects. Interpol issued notices for wanted suspects. Participating countries included the UK, US, France, Germany, Spain, Nigeria, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Interpol Acting Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza stated that human trafficking remains one of the most profitable and pervasive forms of organized crime, generating billions in illicit revenue annually and causing severe and lasting harm to victims. He emphasized that the results demonstrate what can be achieved when countries work together to disrupt criminal networks and strengthen cooperation across regions.
