Operation 'GLOBAL CHAIN' was carried out on five continents with the aim of combating trafficking in human beings for the purposes of sexual exploitation, forced criminal activity and begging.
Europol supported a global operation against trafficking in human beings, involving the competent authorities of 59 countries. As part of the operation, 2,070 potential victims were identified and 1,024 suspects were arrested, of which 334 are allegedly involved in human trafficking cases. At the same time, as part of the ongoing investigations, another 201 suspects were identified for offenses related to trafficking in persons.
The operation, codenamed "GLOBAL CHAIN", focused on the fight against trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced criminal activity and begging, with a particular focus on the protection of underage victims.
The operation took place from 8 to 12 June 2026, coordinated and supported by EUROPOL, FRONTEX and INTERPOL. The aim was to identify and stop the action of criminal networks active in human trafficking, to identify those involved, to launch new criminal investigations against organized criminal groups and to protect potential victims. The action was implemented in the framework of the European Multisectoral Platform against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), with Austria coordinating the operational action and Romania acting as co-leader.
Overall results of the business
1,024 arrests, of which 334 for human trafficking offenses and 690 for other criminal offenses.
Identification of 2,070 victims and potential victims (1,908 adults and 162 minors).
Identification of 201 additional suspects.
Launch of 465 new criminal investigations.
Detection of 80 cases of document forgery.
According to the results of the surveys so far, the vast majority of victims are adult women. Specifically, 64.2% were trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation, 20.9% for forced criminal activity, 11.3% for forced labour, 1.5% for begging and 2.1% for other forms of exploitation.
Of particular concern is the fact that 86.4% of child victims were trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. In addition, 6.2% concerned forced labour, 3% begging, about 0.6% forced criminal activity, while 3.8% concerned other forms of exploitation. In many cases, the protection of victims becomes particularly difficult, as they are exploited even by members of their family.
Potential victims mainly from Latin American countries
The operation involved more than 40,000 law enforcement officers from 59 countries, including police officers, border guards, labour inspectors, as well as representatives of tax and customs authorities.
Potential victims were identified from 45 different countries, with the majority coming from Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Nepal and Moldova. Many of the victims had been transported across borders, even between different continents, demonstrating the international nature of criminal trafficking networks.
During the operation, checks were carried out on:
565,470 persons,
360,317 travel and other identification documents,
140,737 vehicles,
20,342 premises and other locations,
6,133 flights and sea means.
A total of 59 countries (including Cyprus) participated in the operation, as well as the agencies EUROPOL, INTERPOL, FRONTEX, AMERIPOL, EL PACCTO and EU4FAST.
As part of the operation, the Anti-Human Trafficking Office carried out a total of 17 operations nationwide in various premises (beer gardens, apartments). During the checks, 57 women were identified, however, after an individualized assessment, no indications were found that they were victims of human trafficking, while one of them was found to have resided illegally in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
Members of the Provincial OPE, YA&M and MMAD, as well as inspectors of the Labour Office, participated in the operations.
360,317 travel and other identification documents,
140,737 vehicles,
20,342 premises and other locations,
6,133 flights and sea means.
A total of 59 countries (including Cyprus) participated in the operation, as well as the agencies EUROPOL, INTERPOL, FRONTEX, AMERIPOL, EL PACCTO and EU4FAST.
As part of the operation, the Anti-Human Trafficking Office carried out a total of 17 operations nationwide in various premises (beer gardens, apartments). During the checks, 57 women were identified, however, after an individualized assessment, no indications were found that they were victims of human trafficking, while one of them was found to have resided illegally in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
Members of the Provincial OPE, YA&M and MMAD, as well as inspectors of the Labour Office, participated in the operations.
