Europol operation dismantles labor exploitation network in Montenegro

In a coordinated international action led by Sweden, Europol and the European Labour Authority (ELA) have targeted human trafficking and labor exploitation across 34 countries. The operation, conducted under the EMPACT platform between September 14 and 20, 2026, resulted in the arrest of 27 suspected human traffickers and the identification of 248 potential victims.

In Podgorica, Montenegro, police uncovered a network exploiting six Azerbaijani nationals at a construction site. The suspects, identified as Montenegrin and Turkish citizens, allegedly exploited the workers over an extended period. The broader European operation focused on high-risk sectors including agriculture, construction, hospitality, and beauty services.

Beyond labor exploitation, authorities identified cases of sexual exploitation, forced begging, and domestic slavery. The crackdown involved over 16,000 officials who inspected more than 137,000 subjects, including individuals, vehicles, and locations. New investigations have been launched in 182 cases.