The operation, codenamed Global Chain, was carried out on five continents, with a focus on human trafficking for sexual exploitation, forced crime and begging.
The operation codenamed Global Chain was carried out from June 8 to 12 in 59 countries, with the coordination and support of Europol, Frontex and Interpol. Among the participating countries was Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The action was aimed at combating human trafficking for sexual exploitation, coercion into criminal activities and forced begging, with a special focus on minor victims.
During the operation, 1,908 adult potential victims and 162 minors were identified. 201 additional suspects of human trafficking were discovered, 465 new investigations were opened, and 80 cases of forgery of documents were recorded.
According to the results of the investigation, most of the identified victims are adult women. The largest number of victims, 64.2 percent, were exposed to sexual exploitation, while 20.9 percent of victims were forced into criminal activities, 11.3 percent into forced labor, and 1.5 percent into forced begging.
In the case of minor victims, the share of sexual exploitation was even higher and amounted to 86.4 percent. Europol states that the protection of victims in such cases is often particularly challenging because in some cases they are exploited by family members.
During the action, 565,470 persons, 360,317 identification documents, 140,737 vehicles, 20,342 locations, as well as 6,133 flights and vessels were checked.
As part of the operation, several cases were recorded around the world. In Belgium, a group that used social networks to recruit underage girls and force them into sexual exploitation in Belgium and France was broken up. In that action, 17 people were arrested, and 22 minor victims were identified.
In France, authorities uncovered an organized prostitution ring that operated through three massage parlors in Lille and Paris. Two Chinese citizens were arrested, five victims were treated, and more than 73,000 euros in cash, one vehicle, luxury items and funds in bank accounts were seized.
In the United States, the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations have arrested 16 people for human trafficking for sexual exploitation. 22 victims were identified, including 12 minors.
In Moldova, a network of sexual exploitation was broken up, which, according to the authorities, was led by a former gendarme and his fiancee, and the victims were three underage girls from economically disadvantaged families.
In Ukraine, the authorities prosecuted those suspected of labor exploitation of persons with disabilities in a rehabilitation center in the Vinnytsia region, while in Kyiv, a criminal group suspected of exploiting workers was broken up.
In order to carry out an international operational action in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, from June 8 to 12, 2026, the National Coordination Center was established at the level of the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Center coordinated all activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with the Central Coordination Center in Skopje.
15 law enforcement agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the operation, including the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH, SIPA, Border Police of BiH, Service for Foreigners, Federal Police Administration, Police of Brčko District of BiH and several cantonal ministries of interior affairs.
The Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Contact Point for Cooperation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Europol actively participated in the action.
In the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5,122 officers were engaged, and 356 points were established at targeted locations throughout the country.
9,282 people, 10,433 vehicles, 170 locations and 69 flights were controlled.
As a result of the activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 11 potential victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, China and Brazil, were identified, while four persons were deprived of their liberty, it says. Tuzlanski.ba
