Interpol's Operation Turquesa Reveals Surge in Migrants from Asia and Africa

Annual crackdown on human trafficking and migrant smuggling results in 257 arrests and uncovers nearly 12,000 undocumented immigrants from a record 69 countries.

• Interpol's fifth annual Operation Turquesa, a crackdown on migrant smuggling and human trafficking, resulted in 257 arrests and the rescue of 163 suspected victims of human trafficking.
• The operation, which involved law enforcement from 31 countries, detected nearly 12,000 undocumented immigrants from a record 69 countries, indicating a steep growth in migrants from Asia and Africa.
• China was the third most popular country of origin behind Venezuela and Ecuador, showing a marked increase in migrants from Asia and Africa.
• Migrants who cooperated with police provided insight into recruitment tactics, travel conditions and the cost of being smuggled, which ranged from $2,700 to $20,000 per person.
• The number of migrants encountered at the U.S. border from countries outside of Latin America and the Caribbean increased by 43% between the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years, marking the highest level of mass migration since World War II.

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