BRUSSELS, (Unib Rashid) — INTERPOL has announced 95 arrests across 17 countries as part of an operation targeting the distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The arrests were made during parallel law enforcement operations across Latin America and Europe. Each operation targeted different aspects of the distribution and commercialisation of child sexual abuse material through messaging applications and cryptocurrencies.

These platforms are increasingly being used to groom children, coordinate abuse, connect offenders and receive payments for illegal material. They also facilitate the recirculation of abusive content, causing further harm to victims and prolonging their suffering.

The coordinated INTERPOL initiative resulted in the execution of 127 search warrants and the rescue of one child.

Investigators expect that material seized during the operations will help identify additional offenders and children at risk, potentially leading to further investigations and additional protective measures.

The operation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating the online sexual exploitation of children, particularly when digital communication platforms and cryptocurrency transactions are used to facilitate criminal activities across international borders.