Europol has arrested 21 persons and identified 261 victims as part of a Europe-wide operation against forced labour and human trafficking.
More than 27,000 officers carried out checks at 11,360 sites in 31 countries, including Belgium, the European police cooperation agency said in a statement on Wednesday.
The operation took place between 10 and 17 June. Checks were concentrated in sectors with a high need for labour and employing low-skilled workers, such as agriculture, transport and delivery. The focus was also on non-EU workers and refugees.
In total, more than 65,000 individuals and almost 23,000 vehicles were checked. Fifty-seven suspects were identified, 21 persons were arrested, and 261 victims were recorded. The data collected during the operation led to the opening of 86 new investigations.
Under the operation, the Belgian, Dutch, French, German, Swedish and British authorities, in particular, worked together to monitor a chain of restaurants. Several establishments were closed immediately while others were fined.
