Global Crackdown Frees Children

In a major international operation coordinated by Europol, law enforcement agencies from seven countries have successfully arrested 28 individuals involved in child sexual exploitation. The crackdown, which spanned from late May to mid-June 2026, also led to the safeguarding of three children and the seizure of numerous illicit items.

Authorities from Canada, Czechia, Germany, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland participated in this operation, uncovering more than 460 items including electronic devices, crypto wallets, drugs, and doping substances. Notably, the operation utilized advanced techniques to trace cryptocurrency transactions on the dark web, a method developed by Norwegian law enforcement in 2025.

The suspects, all men aged between 22 and 54, are accused of using cryptocurrencies to access and distribute child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through dark web forums. Among the arrested, one individual extensively used artificial intelligence to generate illegal content, while some victims were identified as members of another suspect’s immediate family. Charges against the suspects include the storage, acquisition, and sharing of CSAM.

Europol provided essential support during the operation, enhancing the investigation with operational intelligence and analytical products. The agency also facilitated the distribution of evidence packages to involved countries and agencies, underlining its commitment to combating child sexual exploitation globally. In addition to operational support, Europol runs initiatives like “Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object” and “Help4U,” aimed at engaging the public in identifying abuse cases and supporting affected children and teenagers.

As this operation continues, further arrests are anticipated, underscoring the ongoing international efforts to protect children from exploitation and abuse.