Operation Trident: police officer and three others detained over sexual exploitation of INAU minors
Four people were detained in Uruguay as part of an investigation into human trafficking linked to teenagers under the care of INAU. Among those arrested is a police officer.
Four detained in operation against trafficking network linked to INAU minors
Four people were detained as part of Operation Trident, an investigation into a possible human trafficking network for sexual exploitation purposes involving teenagers under the care of Uruguay's National Institute for Children and Adolescents (INAU), elobservador.com.uy reported on Thursday.
The procedures included raids in the Montevideo neighbourhoods of Belvedere and Maracaná, as well as in San Gregorio de Polanco, in the department of Tacuarembó, according to a statement from the Interior Ministry.
Among those detained is a police officer. A fifth man presented himself voluntarily before the General Directorate for the Fight Against Organised Crime and Interpol to be questioned. By order of the Public Prosecutor's Office, he was released without a date set, which means he must appear before the authorities when required.
The investigation began following complaints filed by INAU itself regarding "unauthorised departures of adolescents". Following these complaints, the authorities detected signs of a possible trafficking network and proceeded with intelligence work, surveillance and information analysis, which led to the arrest and raid warrants.
During the procedures, mobile phones, computers, a precision scale, a 9-millimetre round of ammunition and a small notebook with notes, amongst other items, were seized.
The investigation remains in charge of the Public Prosecutor's Office for Sexual Crimes, 5th Round, Montevideo.
Source: Google News UY — Crime