Category: Road

Global Raids Rescue 3,200 Potential Victims of Trafficking and Identify 17,800 Irregular Migrants

INTERPOL today is releasing preliminary results of its largest-ever operation against human trafficking and migrant smuggling, carried out across 116 countries and territories.

Operation Liberterra II (29 September to 4 October) led to the rescue of 3,222 potential victims of human trafficking and identified 17,793 irregular migrants.

Authorities around the world conducted police raids, reinforced strategic border points, monitored nearly 24,000 flights and deployed officers to known trafficking and smuggling hotspots. Globally, nearly 8 million checks were carried out against INTERPOL’s databases.

A total of 2,517 arrests were made during the week – 850 of which were specifically on human trafficking or migrant smuggling charges.

Operational coordination units were set up in Argentina, Senegal, the Philippines and North Macedonia to assess intelligence and facilitate cooperation between countries within their respective regions and beyond. The operation also saw an unprecedented level of support from 15 specialized units from INTERPOL’s General Secretariat, partner organizations, national agencies and NGOs.

“In their relentless pursuit of profit, organized crime groups continue to exploit men, women and children —often multiple times over. While still preliminary, the results of this operation highlight the vast scale of the challenge facing law enforcement, underscoring that only coordinated action can counteract these threats,” INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said.

INTERPOL’s executive director of police services, Stephen Kavanagh said: “Beyond providing a snapshot of global trafficking and migration trends, the operation served as a vital capacity building opportunity for countries, fostering relationships between specialized units, and enhancing cross-agency collaboration.”

Trafficking-fuelled fraud

The week-long operation uncovered dozens of cases in which trafficking victims were deceived and coerced into committing fraud, marking a clear departure from traditional trafficking patterns, where human exploitation is the sole criminal objective.

Targeting online scam centres using human trafficking victims has been an operational priority since INTERPOL issued an Orange Notice warning its membership of this growing and globalizing trend. In many of these cases victims are lured with false promises of employment and are kept there through intimidation and abuse.

In the Philippines, for example, officers raided a warehouse where more than 250 people, mostly Chinese nationals, were running romance scams on an industrial scale. Officers are now combing through seized devices and carrying out interviews to separate the potential victims of trafficking from members of the criminal enterprise.

On the other side of the world, in West and Central Africa, officers uncovered eight separate cases, involving multiple victims forced into exploitative pyramid schemes. Once recruited, they were transported across borders and held against their will, often suffering physical and psychological abuse.

In one instance, 24 Togolese victims were safeguarded in Mali. The women had been promised employment in locations as far away as North America, but instead, they were charged “recruitment fees” of up to USD 6,000 to operate a multi-level marketing scheme. They were then forced to target family and friends to join as well. So far, 10 arrests have been made.

Polycriminal groups: drugs, cash and weapons

Human trafficking and migrant smuggling are increasingly linked to other forms of crime, often using the same criminal networks and routes. This overlap amplifies profits and power for organized crime groups, making enforcement more complex. The need for a whole-of-crime approach was evident throughout the operation week.

In Brazil, an earlier drug trafficking investigation uncovered a migrant smuggling operation led by the same criminal group. That investigation led them to the arrest of a city council candidate and his associate for smuggling 70 migrants into the United States. In the process, they seized USD 750,000 linked to the operation.

Serbian police arrested 12 suspects linked to two organized criminal groups which facilitated the journeys of at least 178 irregular migrants through Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Police also seized cash, firearms and drugs.

Chilean and Paraguayan authorities worked together to break up a polycriminal group involved in migrant smuggling, human trafficking and money laundering. The group allegedly transported victims into Chile, where they were taken to different cities for sexual exploitation. Four suspects were arrested and 23 victims were rescued and supported.

Additional cases:

  • In Argentina, authorities rescued 59 human trafficking victims, including 14 minors, who were forced to work on fruit and vegetable farms. Officials seized shotguns, pistols, ammunition and USD 200,000 in cash.
  • Seven suspects were arrested in Algeria on money laundering charges in connection with organizing migrant smuggling. The operation resulted in the seizure of 320,000 dinars (USD 2,400) and several cell phones.

Human trafficking: A global phenomenon

Following raids on houses, businesses and nightclubs in North Macedonia, 13 suspects were arrested on charges of human trafficking, drug trafficking and money laundering. The 32 potential victims identified during the raids – all women – were mostly from abroad, including Albania, Colombia, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine.

Additional cases:

  • In Costa Rica, the female leader of a sect was arrested on suspicion of forced labour, child exploitation, emotional and physical abuse. Those recruited were made to take vows of poverty and silence, while top members lived a life of luxury, with high-end vehicles and multiple properties.
  • In Syria, authorities identified a group of doctors suspected of organ trafficking.
  • In Iraq, 25 people were arrested in connection with a trafficking ring involved in forced begging.
  • Ethiopian national authorities arrested a 26-year-old man for recruiting seven victims into domestic servitude in the Middle East, where they were held for weeks, mistreated and starved.

Migrant smuggling: Exploiting the desire for a better life

Analysis of migrant flows is ongoing, but of note was the increasing number of Asian migrants, particularly Vietnamese, detected in the Americas during the operational week. Venezuelan nationals, however, remain the largest group of irregular migrants reported by participating countries, with most migrating to North and South America.

Tunisian authorities intercepted 27 individuals, including 21 minors, attempting to travel to the United Kingdom under the pretense of a language study trip. Coordination with INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Manchester helped identify three suspects in the UK, who have now been referred for prosecution on smuggling charges.

In Kenya, the Transnational Organized Crime Unit arrested two suspects accused of exploiting Ethiopian migrants, uncovering around 100 victims confined in a four-bedroom house. The victims reported being beaten and coerced into contacting family members for money.

Additional cases:

  • UK authorities located and identified a Syrian man wanted by Romania for illegally transporting migrants from Bulgaria to Romania, for onward travel to the Netherlands.
  • In Türkiye, authorities detected and safeguarded approximately 1,500 irregular migrants, arresting 94 suspected smugglers.
  • Authorities in Montenegro arrested 11 members of an organized group suspected of smuggling 350 migrants from Asia into the European Union. Police recovered cash, phones, vehicles, asylum documents and foreign passports.

Focus on sustainable partnerships and cooperation

The operation sought to ensure the widest possible participation and ensure long-term investigative capacity. It was supported by 11 projects which are funded by:

  • The European Commission
  • The European Union
  • Global Affairs Canada
  • The United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
  • The German Federal Foreign Office
  • The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
  • Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Throughout the week, participating countries were able to directly benefit from the expertise, resources, and coordinated actions of specialized projects and international organizations. Additional support was provided by:

  • Afripol
  • CARICOM IMPACS
  • Europol
  • EU4FAST
  • Frontex
  • International Organization for Migration
  • The Regional Support Office of the Bali Process
  • ROCK (Regional Operational Center in Khartoum in support of the Khartoum Process and AU-Horn of Africa initiative)
  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

INTERPOL and the Government of Canada join Forces Against Transnational Vehicle Crime

Vehicle crime is a multi-billion-dollar global industry that fuels organized crime but a new partnership between INTERPOL and the Government of Canada aims to put the brakes on this illicit trade.

Stolen vehicles are often moved across continents, sometimes ending up thousands of kilometers away from where they were stolen, making a coordinated international approach crucial.  For organized crime groups, the trade of stolen vehicles and parts can be a low-risk way to fund other criminal activities. The illicit market in spare parts can even put lives at risk, as illegitimate parts are likely to fall below recognized safety standards.

Project Drive Out, with a budget of €2.4 million, will enhance information sharing between INTERPOL member states, law enforcement agencies and private partners. The objective of the project is to increase the detection of stolen vehicles and spare parts around the world.

The three-year project will also strengthen data analysis by expanding and developing INTERPOL tools which facilitate the exchange of data between car manufacturers and police.  The project will also allow INTERPOL to support participating countries with on-the-ground operations and bolster training on identification and investigative tactics.

Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs in Canada, said, “Auto theft is a crime that knows no borders. That’s why continued collaboration between domestic and international law enforcement partners like INTERPOL is key to recovering Canadians’ stolen property and to disrupting the organized crime groups involved.”

Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL’s Secretary General, added: “Vehicle crime isn’t just about stolen cars — it’s about something far more complex, far more dangerous. It’s about organized crime using those stolen vehicles and parts as currency to fuel a network of illegal activities — from drug trafficking to human smuggling, from the arms trade to acts of terror. This partnership with the Government of Canada represents a step forward, empowering law enforcement across the globe to strike at the heart of a crime that reaches far beyond a single theft. Together, we’re building a safer world.”

INTERPOL’s Stolen Motor Vehicle database, the key law enforcement tool for tackling vehicle crime will be enhanced as part of Project Drive Out. It currently contains more than 12 million records, allowing police in INTERPOL member countries to run a check against a suspicious vehicle and find out instantly whether it has been reported as stolen. In 2023, approximately 226,000 vehicles globally were identified as stolen through the database and so far in 2024 the database has been searched more than 356 million times.

Canada has become a major origin point for stolen vehicles in recent years, driven in part by the country’s abundance of in-demand, high-end models like SUVs and crossovers. These vehicles are often smuggled to destinations in the Middle East and West Africa, where they are subsequently sold or traded.  From February to October 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police received 2,666 alerts about Canadian vehicles and 491 international collaboration requests via INTERPOL’s Stolen Motor Vehicle database.

Savox Displays the Future of Safe and Secure Comms at PMRExpo 2024

The Savox stand at PMRExpo 2024 in Cologne showcases a wide array of innovative and proven communication controllers, mission-critical broadband products, hearing protective headsets, and wireless team communication solutions.

“Our philosophy centers on understanding professionals, their challenges, and overcoming obstacles. We prioritize delivering audio solutions that ensure clear communication, protect specialists—an organization’s most valuable asset—and empower them to perform at their best, regardless of the task or conditions,” said Teppo Parviainen, sales director.

Applying some of the latest advances in Bluetooth technology, as well as solving common challenges regarding, for example, audio clarity, integration, and versatility, Savox brings to Cologne major releases and updates to our proven line-up of secure communication products and solutions.

C-C200 Push-to-talk unit

Sleek in design, while being the most robust PTT nexus-connector in the market, the C-C200 provides a new level of safety and reliability, as well as innovative usage features. Its compact form fits easily on all workwear and tool vests, the wide variety of clip-on fixtures, silent stealth feature, and safe PTT button take functionality to a new level.

Pack-COM wireless team comms system

A unique wireless team communication system with encrypted full-duplex functionality. The portable base station creates a secure mid-range communication bubble allowing for a wide range of radio capabilities to be integrated into the system.

LIVECONNECT 200 body camera

This rugged high-definition wearable bodycam’s innovative features allow users to fully leverage the data and video capabilities of modern broadband networks and terminals, enabling seamless video streaming and video call between front-line workers and teams leads, command centers, and control rooms.

NOISE-COM 300 hearing protector

Specifically designed and built for safety and clarity in tough conditions, the NC-300 works with most available two-way radios. Crafted with high-quality components and sealed electronics, a built-in PTT button, and advanced noise cancellation microphone with extended battery-free performance in the noisiest of industrial environments.

Vehicles Stolen from Windsor Castle

Thieves broke into the Windsor Castle property grounds in October and stole two vehicles, according to local police. The security breach on the large estate just west of London is where Prince William and Kate live with their children.

It is reported that the family were home at the time of the incident. A report of a burglary on the Crown Estate land came into the Thames Valley Police on Octber 13, 2024. It is believe that the thieves scaled a fence at Shaw Farm one of several farms on the estate.

“Offenders entered a farm building and made off with a black Isuzu pick up and a red quad bike. No Arrests have been made at this stage and an investigation is ongoing,” the police said.

A report by The Sun said that after scaling the fence, the perpetrators used a truck, which had been stored in the barn to crash through a gate to get out.

Smugglers Convicted in Death of Family Trying to Cross Canada-U. S. Border

A jury convicted two men of human smuggling charges after a family froze to death while trying to gain access to the United States from the Canadian border.

A jury in Fergus Falls, Minnesota delivered the guilty verdict in the case against Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, from India, and Steve Shand, 50, an American. Prosecutors say the pair were part of a broader criminal enterprise that helped migrants cross from Canada into the United States.

During the five-day trial, the court heard details of the crossing attempt in January 2022, when Vaishaliben Patel, 37; her husband, Jagdish Patel, 39; their 11-year-old daughter, Vihangi; and their three-year-old son, Dharmik were left to fend for themselves during a blizzard.

Border officials received a tip from a snowplow driver who had helped free Shand’s van from a ditch. The border agents found and pulled Shand over as he attempted to cross the border in North Dakota. Inside the van, they found two Indian nationals with Shand. They later found five more people wandering a field, disoriented and freezing. Later still the officers found the bodies of the Patel family just meters from the border. They had succumbed to exposure to the cold.

Convoy Shooting Kills 42 People in Pakistan

Gunmen fired on Shiite Muslim convoy in the northwest of Pakistan Thursday, November 21. Forty-two people were killed. Those killed included six women, and wounded 20 others in one of the region’s deadliest attacks in years, according to local police.

The attack happened in Kurram, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where sectarian clashes between majority Sunni Muslims and minority Shiites have turned deadly killing dozens in recent months.

The attack came days after authorities reopened a crucial highway in the region. It had been closed for weeks following deadly clashes.

Azmat Ali, a local police official, said several vehicles were traveling in a convoy from the city of Parachinar to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when gunmen opened fire. He said at least 10 passengers were in critical condition at a hospital.

Savox Communications Secures Multi-Million Order in Asia for Savox TRICS C2 and Savox Noise-COM 100 Headsets

Savox Communications, a global leader in mission-critical hearing protection and communication solutions has received a substantial new order in Asia, reflecting the continued growth and presence of Savox products in the region.

The order, comprising approximately 8,000 systems, includes a combination of the Savox TRICS C2 Communication Hubs and Noise-COM 100 headsets. The order emphasizes the success of our dedication to swift responsiveness, innovation, and maintenance of high-quality standards.

Our on-going success in the Asian market is a testament to the trust organizations place in our ability to deliver solutions that ensure mission success and personnel safety. This order further validates our strategy of fulfilling the expectations with products designed to meet the demands of mission-critical scenarios.

“We are thrilled with this new order; it reflects our unwavering commitment to pushing technological boundaries to enhance mission success and personnel safety,” says Jerry Kettunen, CEO of Savox Communications. “We are excited to continue our journey of growth and dedication to the markets we serve.”

Second Vehicle Ramming Incident at a Primary School in Central China Rattles Country

Authorities did not release official numbers of how many people were injured in a vehicle ramming incident in Hunan province’s Changde city. A 39-year-old man has been arrested and the incident remains “under further investigation,” according to a local police statement.

Many injured were sent to the hospital for treatment and “none were in life-threatening condition so far,” said the police report, which was released hours after the incident.

Video posted on social media and geolocated by several news sources including CNN showed dozens of panicked school children screaming and running into the schoolyard. A man’s voice could be heard yelling “quickly, quickly,” in the background.

Another video showed multiple people, including adults, lying on the road, injured. Police were seen handcuffing a man in front of a vehicle in one video. The driver of the vehicle, a white SUV, was caught by parents and school security officers and handed over to police.

Images and video circulating social media of the incident were quickly removed. Comments sections on posts related to the incidents were disabled. A third incident where a 21-year-old former student who failed his exams and couldn’t graduate went on a rampage has Chinese population concerned about public safety. In that incident the suspect stabbed eight people to death and injured 17 others.

SITA and IDEMIA Collaborate on Interoperable Biometric and Digital Identity Solutions

SITA and IDEMIA Public Security have announced a collaboration to advance interoperability, trust and data security through a globally recognized Digital Travel Ecosystem. This initiative aims to develop an open-to-all trust network that brings together key players in the industry to advance the way passengers travel around the world. This collaboration is focused on driving interoperability across the travel sector, ensuring that travelers’ digital identities are seamlessly recognized and trusted worldwide.

As the travel industry evolves, stakeholders across various sectors — including governments, airports, and airlines — are rapidly adopting digital identities and biometric solutions, creating challenges in maintaining consistency, trust, and security across the travel journey. SITA’s Digital Travel Ecosystem will bring together key players in identity management to provide a solution to these challenges by creating an open, secure, and interoperable framework that ensures a travelers’ digital identity is trusted globally, without the need for direct integrations between issuers and verifiers.

The decentralized nature of the Digital Travel Ecosystem ensures that travelers’ digital identities and personal information remain fully under their control. At its core is a privacy-by-design approach, developed in partnership with Indicio, which enables the secure global sharing of passengers’ digital credentials. This approach ensures that travelers are sharing their information only with explicit consent. It is only then that this data can be securely shared across various sectors, giving these stakeholders the assurance that the travelers’ digital identity has been verified and issued in real-time. IDEMIA and SITA’s collaboration will further expand the ecosystem’s reach to new digital travelers and further enable touchpoints driving seamless and trusted end-to-end travel experiences and ultimately leading to improved operational efficiency and reduced complexity for all parties involved.

“As the travel industry adopts a wide range of digital identity and biometric solutions, ensuring interoperability and trust is key across various sectors,” said Jeremy Springall, senior vice president of borders at SITA. “With IDEMIA’s collaboration in the Digital Travel Ecosystem, we’re enhancing the ability of stakeholders to trust a travelers’ digital identity across the entire travel journey. This collaboration is critical to advancing global standards for privacy, trust, and security, while enabling smoother operations and reducing costs.”

IDEMIA’s involvement will focus on defining, demonstrating and promoting interoperability of biometric and digital systems, ensuring that a travelers’ digital identity can be recognized and trusted across various airports, borders, and travel touchpoints. This collaboration will expand the Digital Travel Ecosystem’s reach, enabling faster passenger processing, enhanced data security, and greater resource optimization for stakeholders.

“In a world where data privacy concerns are at the forefront, this approach of an interoperable Digital Travel Ecosystem provides a responsible, transparent solution for ensuring how passenger information is shared,” added Tim Ferris, senior vice president, travel & transport, IDEMIA Public Security. “With our shared mission to enhance the passenger experience without compromising security, IDEMIA is proud to partner with SITA. By integrating our technologies around common standards, we can drive global adoption of secured digital capability and biometric authentication, ensuring that passengers’ data remains secure while delivering a streamlined travel experience.”

As governments and travel stakeholders increasingly adopt digital travel solutions, the interoperable Digital Travel Ecosystem provides a scalable, open framework that supports secure, real-time data exchange without compromising privacy. This approach will drive operational efficiency and strengthen trust across borders and various travel touchpoints.

Driver Rams Car Into Crowd at Sports Complex in China

Thirty-five people were killed in China when a man drove his car into a crowd of people exercising at an outdoor sports complex on Monday evening, November 11. Local police said it was the deadliest known attack on the public in a decade in the country.

An additional 43 people were also injured and hospitalized in the rampage in Zhuhai, local police said in a statement Tuesday.

Police said the driver, who was later identified as a 62-year-old man with the surname Fan, tried to flee the scene. Ultimately, he was apprehended. An initial investigation suggested he was unhappy with the outcome of a divorce settlement, they added.