A Europol operation in Portugal identified 82 potential victims of human trafficking, revealed today the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), adding that eight people were charged with this crime.
The operation by the European police cooperation agency took place between June 10 and 17 and involved the participation of 32 countries, including Portugal, where 132 elements from various structures were involved: SEF, Judicial Police, GNR and the Authority for Working Conditions, says a statement from SEF.
Following the searches carried out on national territory, more than 400 adults and 36 minors were identified in 23 locations around the country. In addition, 47 passports and 12 residence permits were seized.
The SEF said that, in international terms, the operation identified 65,839 people and checked almost 23,000 vehicles. 21 people were arrested and 261 victims of trafficking were reported.
The Europol coordination – which was supported by Eurojust (the European judicial cooperation agency), the European Labor Authority, and Frontex (the European border and coast guard agency) – also mobilized the participation of some 27,000 police officers and inspected 11,360 locations, including restaurants, farms, massage parlors, and hairdressers.
The results of this operation have already triggered the opening of 86 new investigations due to the evidence gathered regarding alleged suspects and victims of human trafficking.
