Europol strikes: raid against human trafficking in Berlin!

Europol strikes: raid against human trafficking in Berlin!

On November 13, 2025, investigators from the Berlin State Criminal Police Office carried out extensive searches in Berlin and Brandenburg in cooperation with EUROPOL. 15 addresses in Berlin and one in Brandenburg were examined. The reason for these measures was the suspicion of forced prostitution and human trafficking. A total of seven suspects between the ages of 22 and 48 are at the center of the investigation, who are accused of using a dating platform to get women into prostitution.

During the searches, investigators discovered five-figure cash, a one-hand knife, two brass knuckles, various electronic data carriers and a crypto wallet. A 41-year-old suspect was arrested in Schöneberg and was immediately brought before an investigating judge at the Tiergarten district court, who issued an arrest warrant and immediately executed it. The evaluation of the seized electronic data carriers is part of the ongoing investigation, which is supported by Europol's Analysis Project Phoenix, which provides information comparison and technical support. berlin.de reports on the details of this operation and the ongoing investigation.

EU in the fight against human trafficking

europarl.eu provides information about these legal developments.

In the coming reforms, the EU also plans to regulate forced marriages, illegal adoptions and forced surrogacy more closely. Persons who use the services of human trafficking victims should also be prosecuted. These measures are part of a broader proposal to expand an existing law enforcement directive aimed at protecting victims and punishing perpetrators. The distribution of pornographic images or videos without the consent of those affected is considered an aggravating offense. According to the European Commission, over 7,000 people in the EU are victims of human trafficking every year, although the number of unreported cases is estimated to be significantly higher. The annual costs of human trafficking for the EU amount to approximately 2.7 billion euros. tagesschau.de addresses these alarming statistics and the increasing measures to combat these crimes.

The revised directive still needs to be confirmed by the EU member states and the European Parliament. After this confirmation, European countries have two years to implement the regulations into national law. The ongoing discussion about human trafficking shows how urgent measures are needed to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.