More than 150 arrested at world trafficking in human trafficking

International trafficking in human beings has led to more than 150 arrests and more than 1000 victims.

Almost 15,000 officers from 43 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America participated in the six -day operation, which took place in early June, Interpol reports.

It is aimed at organized criminal groups involved in trafficking in human beings – which are usually minors – for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced crime and begging, Europol said.

Many victims of sexual exploitation – women who are usually recruited from the border and take in massage offices where they put pressure on prostitution.

“Trafficking in humanity is a brutal and destructive crime that deprives people of their dignity, freedom and humanity, hunting the most vulnerable, including children,” said David Kater, director of an organized and new crime in Interpol.

The operation – which was named “Global Network” – total 158 arrests and identified another 205 suspects, and 1194 potential victims were discovered.

It was headed by the Austrian and Romanian authorities and was concentrated primarily in Europe – but also saw the suspects arrested in Thailand, Nigeria and Vietnam.

Police in Malta released three Colombian women – two sisters and their aunts, who initially offered work as an Italian citizen.

Upon arrival, their passports were confiscated under the guise of organizing work permits, and then used to force them to prostitution, the agency added.

In Austria, officers conducted seven arrests in connection with the Romanian family gang, which allegedly used the “lover” method to attract women in sexual exploitation and forced crime under the guise of romantic relations.

And in Italy, police searched several masses suspected of sexual intercourse, discovering 75 potential victims of trafficking in human beings, Interpol reports.

Potential victims of trafficking in human beings emerged from 64 countries around the world, but most came from Romania, Ukraine, Colombia, China and Hungary, officials said.

The operation also recorded 277 669 euros (240 351 pounds), as well as 30 rifles, 65 frauds and a ton of cannabis.

A similar operation took place at about the same time last year, resulting in the arrest of 200 suspects and identifying more than 1300 victims.