🚨 Over 1000 arrested in global anti-human trafficking operation GLOBAL CHAIN. 59 countries, supported by Europol and other partners, joined forces to combat sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced criminality, and forced begging. National operational highlights included: 🇨🇷 Costa Rica: 20 potential victims exploited for forced begging were detected in areas of extreme vulnerability 🇫🇷 France: an organised prostitution network was uncovered, with two suspects arrested, five victims safeguarded, and EUR 73 000 in cash seized. 🇮🇸 Iceland: Five clients of a prostitution ring arrested and 16 possible victims of sexual exploitation identified. 🇮🇪 Ireland: Over EUR 840 000 in cash seized and one individual suspected of human trafficking for sexual exploitation arrested. 🇲🇰 North Macedonia: A vulnerable female victim with a disability was allegedly exploited for forced begging by a close family member. 🇵🇹 Portugal: Three arrested for illegally recruiting women to work in massage parlours and forcing them into prostitution at a nightclub; eight victims were safeguarded and the nightclub seized. 🇺🇦 Ukraine: Two individuals charged for exploiting 13 disabled residents of a rehabilitation centre for labour; four suspects arrested in another labour exploitation case, with 12 victims rescued and assisted. 🌍 Across the globe, more than 2000 victims were identified, 162 of which were minors. Authorities opened 465 new investigations and already detected 201 additional human trafficking suspects. This operation highlights the importance of global collaboration in dismantling organised crime networks. 🤝 Read more: https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-press/newsroom/news/1024-arrests-in-global-operation-against-human-trafficking #HumanTrafficking #EMPACT