An international crackdown on child pornography has led to the arrest of 20 individuals across 12 countries in the Americas and Europe, Interpol announced on Friday. The operation, led by Spanish police and supported by Interpol, targeted online groups distributing child sexual abuse material.
The investigation began in late 2024 when Spanish officers, during routine online surveillance, uncovered several instant messaging groups trafficking in child exploitation content. As the probe deepened, investigators successfully identified key suspects and alerted law enforcement agencies in affected countries.
Coordinated efforts followed between Spain and authorities in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, and Paraguay. Arrests were carried out between March and May 2025.
Spain made the largest number of arrests, detaining seven suspects, including a healthcare worker and a teacher. The healthcare worker is accused of paying minors in Eastern Europe for explicit images, while the teacher allegedly possessed and shared abuse material on multiple platforms. Another teacher was arrested in Panama.
The remaining suspects were apprehended across Europe and the United States. In total, 68 additional individuals have been identified as part of the network and are currently under investigation.
Authorities seized a range of electronic devices, including desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, and digital storage units. Interpol emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation, stressing international collaboration as key to dismantling networks of child exploitation.
Written By Rodney Mbua
