A six-day operation known as "Global Chain," involving nearly 15,000 officers from multiple continents, has resulted in 158 arrests and the identification of 1,194 potential human trafficking victims. The initiative highlights the severe impact of organized crime and advocates for continued global cooperation to combat these heinous activities.
Global Human Trafficking Crackdown Uncovers Over 1,000 Victims
Global Human Trafficking Crackdown Uncovers Over 1,000 Victims
Recent coordinated efforts across 43 nations lead to more than 150 arrests, raising awareness and action against the growing crisis of human trafficking.
In a significant blow to human trafficking networks, an international operation dubbed "Global Chain" has successfully conducted a crackdown that led to over 150 arrests and the identification of nearly 1,200 potential victims. The six-day effort, which took place at the beginning of June, mobilized nearly 15,000 officers from 43 countries spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, according to reports by Interpol.
The initiative aimed to dismantle organized criminal gangs that exploit individuals—predominantly minors—by trafficking them for sexual exploitation, forced labor, and criminal activities. David Caunter, the director of organized and emerging crime at Interpol, emphasized the dire reality of human trafficking, describing it as a "brutal and devastating crime" that particularly preys on vulnerable populations, including children.
Leading the operation were authorities from Austria and Romania, with additional arrests made in countries like Thailand, Nigeria, and Vietnam. In Malta, police rescued three Colombian women—two sisters and their aunt—who had been promised jobs as cleaners but fell into a trafficking scheme that saw their passports confiscated under false pretenses, effectively coercing them into prostitution.
Austria reported seven arrests linked to a Romanian family-based gang using what’s known as the "lover-boy" method to exploit women romantically for sexual purposes, while Italian authorities raided massage parlours alleged to be fronts for trafficking, uncovering around 75 potential victims.
Victims identified during the operation hailed from 64 different countries, with significant numbers coming from Romania, Ukraine, Colombia, China, and Hungary. The operation also led to the seizure of cash totaling €277,669 (£240,351), alongside firearms, fraudulent documents, and a sizable cannabis haul.
This crackdown follows a similar operation conducted last year, which resulted in even more arrests—200 suspects apprehended and over 1,300 victims identified—highlighting the persistent challenge posed by human traffickers as well as the urgent need for continued international collaboration to combat this human rights abuse.
