Massive stings save 70 kids across globe, arrest 160 suspects in paedo sex rings
Two massive FBI operations resulted in the rescuing of over 70 endangered kids across the globe and the arrest of over 160 suspects.
In a remarkable nationwide enforcement campaign named Operation Cross Country, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), working in collaboration with state and local law enforcement partners, rescued 200 sex trafficking victims.
The operation also yielded the identification or arrest of 126 suspects involved in child sexual exploitation and human trafficking offences, as well as 68 suspects implicated in trafficking crimes.
The two-week operation, which took place throughout July, achieved significant milestones in the fight against human trafficking. Notably, it resulted in the discovery of 59 minor victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation offences, alongside the location of 59 actively missing children.
The FBI identified or arrested 160 suspects across the two stings (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)At the same time, nearly 100 individuals in the United States and Australia have been arrested on child sexual abuse charges following the fatal shooting of two FBI agents. The incident led to the exposure of a suspected international paedophile ring.
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Australian and American law enforcement conducted this joint operation named "Operation Bakis," resulting in the arrest of 98 people, with the FBI contributing to 79 arrests. The investigation began after the shooting deaths of two FBI agents in 2021 during a search warrant execution.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and FBI collaborated, leading to the rescue of 13 children and the apprehension of 19 men for sharing child abuse material online. Australian suspects, aged 32 to 81, used technology to anonymously share files and communicate. Some produced their own abusive content.
The success of the operation highlighted the significance of international partnerships in combating such crimes. A total of 43 convictions were reported in the US, and the FBI alerted other nations to suspects within their jurisdictions.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland remarked, “The exploiters of sex trafficking subject some of society's most vulnerable individuals to unspeakable harm. Operation Cross Country, by rescuing 59 actively missing children, further enhances the FBI's ongoing efforts to liberate minor victims and hold those responsible for these abhorrent crimes accountable.
“Our resolve to collaborate with law enforcement agencies nationwide, curbing human trafficking, remains unshaken. We are committed to preventing these crimes, intensifying their detection, investigation, and prosecution, and amplifying the provision of support and services for survivors.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray praised the efforts of state and local law enforcement partners (Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock)Operation Cross Country, led by the FBI in conjunction with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), was aimed at identifying and locating sex trafficking victims and dismantling networks engaged in child sex and human trafficking.
The operation involved targeted law enforcement activities to apprehend offenders, disrupt criminal enterprises and safeguard victims from further harm. The suspects identified are now under additional investigation for potential charges.
FBI Director Christopher Wray asserted, “Human traffickers prey on society's most vulnerable, causing lifelong scars, particularly among child victims. Our resolve to combat this menace is unwavering, and we send a resolute message that these atrocities will not be tolerated.
“The success of this operation owes much to the dedication and collaboration of state and local law enforcement partners, highlighting our unwavering commitment to pursuing the perpetrators of these grievous crimes and connecting victims with essential support services.”
In a press release, the FBI said that a multidisciplinary team (MDT), comprising victim specialists, child and adolescent forensic interviewers, and victim service professionals, alongside special agents, ensures a victim-centred, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed investigative response. The FBI MDT, in conjunction with state and local partners, strives to offer resources catering to the unique needs of trafficking victims.
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Victim specialists extend a range of services tailored to the individual needs of trafficking victims. These services encompass crisis intervention, provision of emergency food and clothing, facilitating transportation for emergency services, and assisting in locating shelter or housing. The victim specialists also act as a conduit between victims and the investigative team, ensuring the receipt of case updates as appropriate.
Michelle DeLaune, President & CEO of NCMEC, emphasized, “Behind each statistic is an individual with dreams, aspirations, and an inherent right to a life free from child sex trafficking and exploitation. As a society, it is our collective duty to ensure the protection, support, and empowerment of those affected by this heinous crime.
“We applaud the tireless dedication of the FBI and its partner law enforcement agencies in safeguarding children. Their relentless efforts in combating crimes against children send a potent message that child sexual exploitation will not be tolerated.”
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