Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MADRID (AP) — The European Union's law enforcement agency says police have smashed a Nigerian organized crime ring in one of the largest European operations against human trafficking.
Europol says the Nigerian gang trafficked victims to Europe through Libya and Italy, forcing women into prostitution to pay for their journey.
Spain's Guardia Civil carried out 41 house searches in 11 Spanish cities, while Britain's National Crime Agency mounted raids in Manchester. Europol says the criminal ring was active in multiple EU countries.
A Europol statement Thursday says it blocked bank accounts that laundered more than 300,000 euros ($370,000) for the organization. It says 89 people were arrested and 39 victims rescued.
The statement did not say when the operation took place.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
