Global Crackdown Nets Human Traffickers

In a sweeping international operation codenamed ‘Global Chain,’ law enforcement agencies across 43 countries have arrested 158 individuals suspected of human trafficking and safeguarded 1,194 potential victims. This large-scale crackdown, led by Austria and Romania with support from Europol, Frontex, and INTERPOL, focused on combatting trafficking for sexual exploitation, forced criminality, and forced begging, with a particular emphasis on underage victims.

The operation, conducted from June 1 to June 6, 2025, mobilized nearly 15,000 officers. It targeted organized crime groups and high-value targets responsible for the majority of human trafficking cases. Officers aimed to protect victims, seize criminal assets, and initiate follow-up investigations. Victims from 64 countries were identified, highlighting the global nature of human trafficking networks.

Europol Deputy Executive Director, Jean-Philippe Lecouffe, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in tackling human trafficking. “The outcomes of this year’s operation ‘Global Chain’ are not just statistics; each individual safeguarded from exploitation represents an invaluable success,” he stated.

Operational highlights included arrests and rescues across multiple countries. In Austria, seven suspects were apprehended, safeguarding eight women. Romanian authorities dismantled a family-based crime group, while Italian police raided massage parlors linked to sexual exploitation, freeing numerous victims. Additional arrests and victim rescues occurred in Malta, Albania, Greece, Montenegro, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Brazil, and Thailand.

The operation also led to significant seizures, including cash, narcotics, firearms, and fraudulent documents. Coordinated efforts, supported by EMPACT and international partners, underscore the commitment to confronting human trafficking on a global scale.