Brazil-based human trafficking network dismantled

Young activists united to end human trafficking 3:19

(CNN) -

A joint investigation by Brazilian and US law enforcement agencies managed to dismantle a "major human trafficking network" based in Brazil, according to a press release from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE). , for its acronym in English).

Authorities executed 21 search warrants in Brazil on December 2, according to the statement, and detained numerous Lebanese, Bangladeshi and Brazilian nationals on charges of human smuggling and operating a criminal enterprise.

The operation is allegedly responsible for the illicit trafficking of dozens of people from Bangladesh and other South Asian countries to Brazil, with their final destination to the United States, according to ICE.

"This successful operation demonstrates the importance of international collaboration when it comes to disrupting human smuggling networks that undermine our immigration system and put countless lives at risk in doing so," said ICE's Homeland Security Investigations attaché. in Brasilia, Patrick Chen.

This area is the main investigative branch of the Department of Homeland Security, according to the statement.

It is in charge of investigating transnational threats and crimes, "specifically the criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move," explained the forces of order.