Interpol: 40 human traffickers arrested, 236 children saved
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Interpol says 40 suspected human traffickers have been arrested and nearly 500 of their victims freed in a vast police operation in five African countries.
The France-based international police agency said in a statement late Thursday that 236 of those rescued were minors. The operation earlier this month was carried out in Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal.
In a statement, Interpol said the suspects are accused of forcing victims "to engage in activities ranging from begging to prostitution, with little to no regard for working conditions or human life."
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The operation was part of the German government-funded Sahel Project which targets human trafficking in the region.
Interpol said officials from across the region met after the operation to discuss next steps for the victims and cross-border efforts against trafficking.