Brazilian Federal Police Announces Operação Planeta, Aimed against Human Trafficking

On January 30, 2013, the Brazilian Federal Police announced that it will start a new international operation with Spain’s National Police aimed at combating human trafficking. Nicknamed Operação Planeta (Operation Planet), the operation is aimed at stopping the sex trade between Brazil and Spain, primarily in the business of trafficking Brazilian girls to Spanish clients. Girls were taken to Salvador, where they were promised free passage to Spain as well as work. When they arrived, they were seized and forced to work to pay off a debt five times higher than the one they agreed to. This operation comes after a report produced by the federal government as part of the “Ligue 180” (Call 1-8-0) campaign. Read Article

