This was known as “Operation Viola” where at least 51 people were arrested in Italy where 15 others were arrested in other parts of Europe. Most of the others arrested were in The Netherlands.
Those that were being trafficked by the gang were mainly women and children according to police. Police also say that the children were kidnapped from Nigerian orphanages. An earlier part of the operation which ended in October netted police 23 arrests.
Police arrested the suspects in the United States, Nigeria, Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and The Netherlands. The most recent suspects arrested face charges on slavery, kidnapping, trafficking, and drugs.
The crackdown was orchestrated by both anti-mafia officials and the Dutch police.
According to police, the gang’s activities net it hundreds of thousands of dollars.