An INTERPOL-led crackdown on human trafficking and migrant smuggling. In Africa and Europe have rescued nearly 500 victims of human trafficking. Weka has led to a total of 195 arrests - 88 of for human trafficking and 63 on people smuggling charges. Arrests were on other charges such as document fraud, theft, drugs-related crimes and environmental offenses. Morocco played a strong role in the operation by hosting the Operational Coordination unit.
Arresting two key smugglers known for facilitating the transport of irregular migrants from the African continent using rigid inflatable boats and lorries. Kenyan and Ugandan police joined efforts following the discovery of a 10-year old girl trafficked to Kenya. Investigations in both countries led to the vital arrest of three traffickers in Uganda.
Case involved a 15-year old Congolese girl who fled a forced marriage with the ‘help’ of smugglers. She suffered from sexual abuse. INTERPOL Human Trafficking Expert Group (HTEG) will play a crucial role in connecting specialized investigators and experts to act on information gathered during the operation and to fight these crimes.
