Frontex - European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders

06/01/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/01/2023 02:02

212 arrests, 1426 victims identfied in a global operation against human trafficking

  • 212 suspects arrested, more than 1,400 potential victims identified in a global operation against trafficking in human beings (THB).
  • Frontex teamed up with Austria, Romania, Europol and Interpol, and 44 countries in the largest global operation against THB.
  • Frontex activated all its joint operations and shared specific risk indicators to help identify victims.

Between 8-15 May, Frontex teamed up with Austria, Romania, Europol, Interpol and 44 countries across the world in a global action targeting human trafficking for sexual exploitation, forced begging, and forced criminality. The main objective was to identify, protect and refer victims and potential victims of human trafficking for assistance.

Operation Global Chain, part of EMPACT Joint Action Days, involved a wide range of law enforcement authorities including police, border guard, social and child protection services.

130 000 law enforcement officers checked 1.6 million people, thousands of cars and locations, and monitored more than 8 000 flights and 4 000 border checkpoints. Specific actions targeted the disruption of criminal networks potentially exploiting victims in South America, Asia, Africa, the Western Balkans, and Ukraine.

As part of the operation, Frontex activated all its joint operations in and outside the EU. The agency also shared risk indicators among all participants to help them identify potential victims.

Moreover, Frontex engaged its VEGA Children operation and performed - in cooperation with Frontex's Consultative Forum and other experts from international organisations, such as the International Organisation for Migration - field visits in selected border check points at land and air borders.

Frontex plays an active role in combatting the THB crime. The agency trains border guards across Europe and runs a number of operations at international airports, too, aimed at detecting and safeguarding victims of trafficking, especially children. Together with THB prevention specialists across Europe, Frontex created a manual for border guards and airport staff to help spot children who may be victims of trafficking.

Selected cases:

  • In Serbia, 6 suspects were arrested for sexually exploiting 10 female victims.
  • Romanian authorities conducted 19 house searches and arrested 4 people suspected of labour exploitation of at least 8 victims.
  • In North Macedonia, 11 suspects were arrested for sexual exploitation of minors and trafficking in human beings.
  • In Colombia, 27 victims of sexual exploitation were identified, and 7 suspects were arrested.
  • Investigators in Sweden identified 5 underage boys in a well-known begging area, accompanied by a 19-year-old male. In their statements, the boys indicated that the adult was acting as their boss, overseeing their begging activities.

Participants:

EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Non-EU countries: Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Colombia, Iceland, Kosovo**, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Philippines, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.

** This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

The European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) tackles the most important threats posed by organised and serious international crime affecting the EU. EMPACT strengthens intelligence, strategic and operational cooperation between national authorities, EU institutions and bodies, and international partners. EMPACT runs in four-year cycles focusing on common EU crime priorities.