Europol has reported that 1,024 people were arrested and 2,070 potential victims identified during the large-scale anti-trafficking operation GLOBAL CHAIN.
The wide-ranging operation, which took place from 8 to 12 June 2026 and was coordinated by Europol, Frontex and Interpol, targeted human trafficking for sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging, with a particular focus on child victims.
It brought together over 40,000 specialists from 59 countries as part of the EMPACT programme, with Austria acting as the lead country and Romania as co-lead.
Based on the results of the operation, Europol said that of the total number of arrests, 334 were related to human trafficking and 690 to other offences. The identities of a further 201 suspects were established, 465 new cases initiated and 80 instances of document forgery uncovered. Of the victims identified, 1,908 were adults and 162 were minors.
The suspects were arrested in the following countries: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Ireland, Spain, Moldova, Nigeria, Portugal, the USA, Thailand, Ukraine and France. Information on possible victims was received from 45 countries worldwide, with the highest number of victims being nationals of Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Nepal and Moldova.
The global scale of these criminal networks is confirmed by the fact that many people were transported not only to neighbouring countries but also to other continents.
