Interpol-Afripol joint op. 15 Lankan human trafficking victims rescued in Sierra Leone

In a groundbreaking joint operation between Interpol and the African Union (AU) Mechanism for Police Cooperation (Afripol), over 1,000 arrests have been made worldwide concerning human trafficking and migrant smuggling. 

 

 

The operation, named "FLASH-WEKA," was carried out in two phases between May and June, involving law enforcement from 54 countries. 

 

 

As a result, 15 suspected trafficking victims from Sri Lanka were rescued. The operation targeted organized crime networks behind these illicit activities, using Interpol's global criminal databases and local law enforcement cooperation. 

 

 

The operation also exposed increased online recruitment through platforms like Q.Net, with victims rescued in several African countries. 

 

 

It also revealed cases of migrant smuggling attempts across the Mediterranean towards Europe. The operation's success was attributed to the close collaboration between Interpol and Afripol, aiming to dismantle these criminal networks and provide comprehensive support to victims. 

 

 

FLASH-WEKA was funded by several international organizations and received support from Europol, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other regional bodies.