The cooperation of 47 countries, including the UAE, in a global operation launched by INTERPOL against trans-border crimes has saved 430 victims of human trafficking and 4,000 victims of migrant smuggling.
The UAE Ministry of Interior played a crucial role in ‘Operation Liberterra’ for hosting two operation rooms from July 5-9 for the joint forces from the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa.
Operation Liberterra carried out some 500,000 inspections at checkpoints and airports as well as at hotspots identified through intelligence and investigations.
The operation led to the arrest of 286 individuals, of which 12 people were nabbed in the UAE.
The UAE was the first country in the region to pass a comprehensive law to tackle human trafficking in line with all international laws and treaties, including deterring sanctions and raising awareness about such crimes.
INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said “Operation Liberterra is a five-day snapshot of the global trafficking and smuggling situation and how multinational highly organized criminals networks only focus on one thing: profit.”
Lt. Col. Dana Humaid, Director General of the International Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Interior said: “Human trafficking is one of the major security threats being faced by countries across the world. It has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry led by organized criminal groups.”
“While it is challenging to determine the scale of the problem, experts agree that millions of victims are trafficked every year, either for forced labor, sexual exploitation, removal of organs, or people smuggling,” he added.
Crime groups dismantled around the world
Operational highlights included:
- Algerian authorities dismantled a smuggling group focusing on maritime routes to European coasts.
- Colombia dismantled two different criminal organizations, making 22 arrests. While one group was dedicated to smuggling migrants to the US, the other group focused on bringing Cuban and Haitian migrants from Ecuador into Colombia. In addition, two subjects of INTERPOL Red Notices wanted internationally by Spain for human trafficking were arrested.
- Authorities in Ecuador arrested 8 suspects who smuggled migrants to the US using a legitimate travel agency as a cover to book flights via Mexico.
- Officers in Ghana intercepted two Nigerian suspects accused of running a human trafficking ring between Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.
- Six members of an organized crime group were arrested in North Macedonia. The leader had been working with associates in the Middle East to smuggle migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Syria to Greece.
- Authorities in Sudan rescued 253 victims of human trafficking, arresting 32 suspects.
- An organized crime group based in Spain which smuggled migrants by sea from Algeria to the Spanish coast was dismantled.
