A major international operation has successfully rescued 3,222 potential victims of human trafficking and identified 17,800 irregular migrants, marking a significant milestone in the global fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
To effectively combat these transnational crimes, coordinated international action is essential. The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have joined forces to enhance global cooperation, streamline intelligence sharing, and coordinate comprehensive responses to these threats.
Operation Liberterra II, INTERPOL’s most extensive operation targeting human trafficking and migrant smuggling to date, was conducted in collaboration with UNODC. Spanning 116 countries from September 29 to October 4, 2024, the operation resulted in the rescue of thousands of victims and the identification of nearly 17,800 irregular migrants.
During this operation, UNODC deployed experts worldwide to facilitate real-time case identification and support cross-border judicial coordination.
“We are proud to work with INTERPOL on this collective mission to disrupt human trafficking and migrant smuggling,” remarked Ilias Chatzis, Chief of UNODC’s Action Against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling. “By uniting our efforts in Liberterra II, we fostered collaboration between specialized prosecutors and promoted stronger interagency and international responses to address these serious crimes.”
Throughout the operation, police conducted global raids, monitored nearly 24,000 flights, reinforced key border points, and deployed teams to high-risk locations. INTERPOL’s databases were checked nearly 8 million times during the operation.
In total, 2,517 arrests were made during the week, with 850 individuals charged specifically with human trafficking or migrant smuggling.
“INTERPOL strongly believes in the power of collective expertise,” said Richard Chambers, INTERPOL’s Director for Organized and Emerging Crime. “Our diverse team of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and experts has enabled us to tackle complex criminal networks by promoting collaboration across disciplines.”
Human Trafficking: Emerging Patterns
UNODC’s support for INTERPOL’s coordination unit in South Eastern Europe enabled cooperation between countries of origin, transit, and destination, providing valuable insights into emerging trends, routes, and trafficking methods. For instance, coordinated raids in North Macedonia led to the arrest of 13 suspects involved in human trafficking, drug trafficking, and money laundering, and the identification of 32 potential victims, most of whom were foreign nationals from Albania, Colombia, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine.
In other regions, the operation revealed cases where trafficking victims were deceived into participating in fraud schemes, signaling a shift from traditional forms of exploitation like sexual exploitation or forced labor.
UNODC remains committed to supporting INTERPOL in cases initiated under Operation Liberterra II and expanding this vital partnership to address other shared priorities.