4 arrests in a hit against clan-based human trafficking network

Crime Area: trafficking of human beings for sexual exploitation 

Action days: 4 May 2023

Participating countries: Bulgaria and Germany

Authorities involved: 

• Bulgaria: General Directorate Combating Organised Crime and Regional Prosecutor’s Office of Dobrich; 
• Germany: Heilbronn Police and Heilbronn Public Prosecutor's Office;
• Eurojust
   

Arrests: 4 arrests in Germany 

House searches: 8 house searches (5 in Bulgaria and 3 in Germany)

Seizures: Cash, jewellery and gold as well as narcotics, dangerous objects, data carriers and suspected manipulated slot machines 

Modus operandi: Human trafficking for sexual exploitation: the members of the clan-based criminal network forced their victims into street prostitution in Heilbronn, Germany. The suspects allegedly abused, restrained and inflected physical violence on their victims.

Europol’s contribution: Europol facilitated the information exchange and provided intelligence and analytical supported. Europol also provided coordination and financial support to the operational activities.

EMPACT: Trafficking in human beings 

For additional information, please reach out to Europol’s Press Office.