A broad, coordinated crackdown across Europe led to 135 arrests in an international operation targeting child trafficking, and authorities identified 133 potential victims at various border points. The effort underscores the ongoing threat posed by trafficking networks and the concerted actions required to disrupt them.
Spain played an active role in the operation, which unfolded from June 6 to June 13. The initiative was organized under the Intelligence Center for Combating Terrorism and Organized Crime (CITCO) with the involvement of the Interior Ministry, according to official statements released on Tuesday.
Under the coordination of Frontex, in collaboration with Interpol and Europol, more than 23,000 participating agencies carried out checks at roughly 13,500 border points across sea, land, and air routes that are most frequently used within Europe. The scale of the operation demonstrated the capacity of multinational cooperation to monitor and interdict trafficking activities at multiple entry points.
In total, authorities logged over 193,000 vehicles and monitored around 970,000 people. Among those inspected, 11,138 individuals were identified as underage, highlighting the significant share of minors encountered in these operations and the heightened vulnerability of younger populations to trafficking schemes.
The Interior Ministry emphasized that minors remain the most at-risk group among trafficking and exploitation victims. The phenomenon continues to be driven by criminal networks that exploit economic and social vulnerabilities, with victims facing a range of harms including sexual abuse and involvement in other criminal activities such as petty crime and drug distribution.
The operation demonstrated the importance of cross-border collaboration, data sharing, and joint investigations in uncovering trafficking routes and safeguarding vulnerable individuals. Officials noted that ongoing surveillance, victim support, and strong penalties for offenders are essential components of an effective response to this crime, which affects communities across Europe and beyond, including in North America later assessments and international law enforcement reviews.