Bulgaria launches massive police operation against human trafficking

Forty-one people have been arrested in a police action against human trafficking in Bulgaria. The operation, code named “Operation Elvis Bulgaria” is thought to be the biggest ever undertaken by the country in co-operation with other states. Arrests were mostly made in Bulgaria itself, but also happened in Italy, Austria and Germany. In particular a joint Bulgarian/Italian police operation had been observing the gang allegedly trafficking women and children for over a year.

During a news conference in Trieste, Italy, it was announced that  more than 100 children had been rescued from being forced into pick pocketing and prostitution. It is unknown how many women and children the gang allegedly trafficked in total.

Action against human trafficking is a vital component in Bulgaria’s preparation to join the EU.