Operation Turquesa III (29 November – 3 December) saw authorities in 34 countries carry out targeted, coordinated enforcement actions against criminal networks believed to be moving vulnerable men, women and children across borders for profit.

While many of the migrants reported paying exorbitant fees to take often-dangerous journeys, other victims faced continued exploitation. In total, authorities rescued 127 human trafficking victims from forced labour and sexual exploitation during the operation.

A dedicated operational coordination unit in Mexico City and a support unit at the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security’s (CARICOM IMPACS) Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) supported participating countries throughout the weeklong operation. Some 65,000 checks were carried out against Interpol’s databases at air, land and sea borders as well as 98 strategic checkpoints across four continents.

Jürgen Stock, Interpol’s Secretary General, recognised the strong mobilisation and coordination behind Turquesa III: “Interpol and our partners remain relentless in our collective mission to protect the vulnerable from criminal groups. Each operation reinforces our network, casting a wider net against organised crime. By working together, we dismantle criminal structures, we cut off major sources of profit and most importantly, we rescue innocent victims.”