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EU Commission calls for Expression of Interest of the EU Civil Society Platform against Trafficking in Human Beings

The renewed platform aims to enhance EU-level engagement and strengthen the fight against human trafficking through collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Europol leads cross-border crackdown on Chinese criminal network involved in illegal immigration and human trafficking ring; 30 individuals arrested in Spain and Croatia

The law enforcement conducted raids at 14 properties across Barcelona (4), Madrid (9), and Toledo (1) in Spain, and one property in Zagreb in Croatia. These operations resulted in 30 arrests, among which were the leaders of the criminal network. In addition, EUR 180 000 in cash was also seized, alongside weapons, 70 passports, equipment to falsify passports and visas, narcotic substances, 10 high-end vehicles and 33 mobile phones. A total of 33 victims – Chinese and Vietnamese nationals – were also safeguarded…

Swiss Money Laundering Reporting Office launch first anti-trafficking guide for financial intermediaries to identify human trafficking transactions

The FIAHT Guide provides financial intermediaries with practical tools to detect human trafficking-related activities. It includes indicators like large cash transfers, multiple property rents, or prepaid card usage. The guide also offers examples of how traffickers hide profits and provides best practices for filing accurate suspicious activity reports to aid investigations…

Eurojust supports crackdown on human trafficking ring, exploiting workers in Hungary and Romania

The network started its illegal activities in 2013. Its targets were recruited from Romania to work in a paper factory in Hungary. They were promised a job with eight-hour workdays for five to six days a week a salary paid in Hungarian forints and accommodation and meals. After arriving in Hungary, the actual working conditions were much worse than promised. The victims’ documents were confiscated, depriving them of their freedom of movement.

Council of Europe new report urges Czech Authorities to intensify efforts against human trafficking and labour exploitation

The authorities should strengthen their efforts to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings, in particular as regards labour exploitation, improve the identification of victims, and take further action to prevent child trafficking. According to official statistics, 90 adult victims of trafficking were identified in 2019-2023. The majority were foreign nationals exploited in the sectors of construction, agriculture…

Europol supports French-led operation to dismantle large migrant smuggling and ML network, seizing over EUR11m in assets following financial investigation

The investigation focused on several interlinked criminal groups that were smuggling migrants from the Indian sub-continent (India, Sri Lanka and Nepal) to Europe, the UK and North America. The smugglers facilitated migrants’ travel to the EU via Dubai or different African countries using unlawfully obtained tourist, work or medical visas. Migrants would be charged between EUR 15 000 and EUR 26 000 per person for the full smuggling service…

OSCE Leaders emphasise the shifting landscape of human trafficking, particularly its transition to online platforms, and called for updated prevention strategies

New Report launched mapping risks of trafficking on sexual services websites to mark EU Anti-Trafficking Day. Focusing on public-private partnerships to combat labor exploitation in light of the new EU CSDDD, urging companies to critically assess their business practices and ensure that their entire supply chains comply with human rights standards.

The Netherlands in collaboration with its national FIU and the banking sector is yielding valuable insights into the money flows around human trafficking and modern slavery

Hennie Verbeek-Kusters, Head of FIU-the Netherlands and former Head of the Egmont Group, spoke to Paul Cochrane about overcoming obstacles and sharing gains from information exchange…

Europol’s European Migrant Smuggling Centre (EMSC) report unveils the latest developments and main threats in migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, based on the most recent operations 

The report highlights the main challenges presented by the current criminal landscape and aims to help law enforcement step up the fight against criminal networks…

Eurojust reveals coordinated actions from Romanian and French authorities to stop a human trafficking network

A current investigation by Romanian authorities has verified that members of an organized crime group (OCG) have engaged in human trafficking, pimping, and ML since January 2022 to gain significant financial gains. Victims from vulnerable backgrounds were recruited in Romania and transported to France for sexual exploitation, involving coercion tactics such as threats, force…

Europol announces that Spain has arrested 42 individuals for trafficking cannabis and heroin

The investigation uncovered that the criminals specialized in transnational drug trafficking, importing heroin, cannabis, and hashish into Spain for years. They distributed these drugs throughout the EU after their arrival. Heroin trafficking to the EU primarily utilizes global container transport and ferries departing from Turkey, as criminal networks involved in wholesale heroin trafficking largely originate there…

GRETA has urged the German authorities to take further action against human trafficking

The Council of Europe’s GRETA praised Germany for progress in combatting human trafficking, including the designation of new oversight bodies, while urging stronger victim support and comprehensive action plans…