36 networks trafficking in human beings annihilated in 2006

The Center for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CCTP) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has annihilated 36 networks trafficking in human beings in the first 10 months of 2006. According to the head of CCTP, Petru Plop, 23 networks were involved in sexual slavery, 11 of them having Turkey as a destination country, 5 United Arab Emirates, 2 – Romania and Kosovo – 1 each, USA, Austria and Serbia – 1 network each. Another 7 networks were involved in work slavery, including 4 in the Russian Federation, in Italy, Poland and Ukraine – one network in each country. The traffickers organized illegal migrations in the Schenghen space, but also exported work force to Russia for beggary. At present, authorities investigate the activity of another 5 networks of illegal migrations with destinations such as Turkey, Austria, Italy and Ukraine. According to Petru Plop, in this period there were registered 448 felonies related to the trafficking in human beings and illegal migration, 236 penal proceedings were initiated for trafficking in human beings, 59 – for trafficking in children. 115 cases were related to pander activity. CCTP ascertained an efficient collaboration with SECI member countries, EU and CIS member countries, with respect to countering traffic in human beings phenomenon. In this context, an efficient collaboration was settled with SECI Regional Center, UN forces in Kosovo and other special services as regards the repatriation of 6 sexual slavery victims. Special operations in over 13 countries were organized under the auspices of SECI Regional Center.