Brussels, (Unib Rashid) — The European law enforcement agency, Europol, has announced that more than 1,000 suspects were arrested during the global anti-human trafficking operation “Global Chain”, conducted in cooperation with law enforcement authorities from 59 countries and international partners.

The coordinated operation targeted criminal networks involved in sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced criminality, and forced begging.

According to Europol, authorities in Costa Rica identified 20 potential victims in high-risk areas who were allegedly being exploited for forced begging.

In France, investigators dismantled an organised prostitution network, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, the safeguarding of five victims, and the seizure of €73,000 in cash.

In Iceland, police arrested five clients linked to a prostitution ring and identified 16 potential victims of sexual exploitation.

Authorities in Ireland seized more than €840,000 in cash and arrested one suspect on suspicion of trafficking people for sexual exploitation.

In North Macedonia, investigators uncovered a case in which a woman with disabilities was allegedly forced to beg by a close relative.

In Portugal, three suspects were arrested for illegally recruiting women to work in massage parlours and allegedly coercing them into prostitution at a nightclub. Authorities safeguarded eight victims and shut down the nightclub.

In Ukraine, two individuals were charged with exploiting 13 residents with disabilities at a rehabilitation centre for forced labour. In a separate forced labour investigation, four additional suspects were arrested, while 12 victims were rescued and provided with assistance.

Europol said that authorities identified more than 2,000 victims worldwide, including 162 children. Law enforcement agencies also launched 465 new investigations and identified 201 additional suspects believed to be involved in human trafficking.

Europol stated that the operation underscores the importance of international cooperation in dismantling organised criminal networks engaged in human trafficking.