LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — A significant global initiative spearheaded by Interpol has culminated in the arrest of more than 3,700 suspects connected to human trafficking and migrant smuggling. This operation, known as Operation Liberterra III, was conducted between November 10 and November 21, involving 14,000 law enforcement officers across 119 countries. The operation resulted in 3,744 arrests, the protection of 4,414 potential trafficking victims, and the identification of 12,992 individuals caught in illegal migration schemes.
According to Interpol, the major crackdown led to the opening of at least 720 new investigations. The agency, which operates from its headquarters in France, plays a crucial role in assisting police in its 196 member countries to combat international crime. The Secretary General of Interpol, Valdecy Urquiza, emphasized in a statement that criminal networks are evolving, taking advantage of new routes, digital platforms, and vulnerable populations. By identifying these emerging patterns, law enforcement can better anticipate threats and disrupt criminal networks at an earlier stage, thereby offering better protection to victims.
Emerging trends in human trafficking were evident, particularly concerning the profiles of victims. Interpol noted an increase in cases involving South American and Asian nationals being trafficked in Africa, which marks a departure from previous patterns that predominantly involved African victims being trafficked abroad. The agency highlighted significant concerns regarding trafficking scams, especially with migrants being intercepted on perilous routes along the coasts of Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Morocco, and Algeria, as well as via land networks in Peru, Brazil, and other countries.
Law enforcement efforts in West and Central African nations, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, have yielded positive results. Authorities in these countries reported the rescue of more than 200 victims and the disruption of multiple recruitment and exploitation hubs. In many cases, victims in Africa are deceptively recruited under the guise of foreign employment. Traffickers impose exorbitant fees on these victims and, in some instances, compel them to recruit friends and family members to improve their own standard of living, further propagating a pyramid scheme model.
In a related context, a cybercrime crackdown in Africa in 2025 resulted in the arrest of 1,209 suspects who were targeting a staggering 88,000 individuals. Moreover, in Asia, a large-scale operation led to the discovery of 450 workers in a single raid on a compound in Myanmar. These incidents are indicative of the broader scope of trafficking and exploitation occurring globally, necessitating continued vigilance and cooperative efforts among law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Overall, Operation Liberterra III highlights the pressing need for ongoing collaboration and enhanced strategies to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling, as both criminal networks and their methods continue to evolve.
