Forty-four Colombian women thought they were leaving home for better opportunities. Promises of work and a better future drew them thousands of miles from home, all the way to Albania. But when they arrived, the truth quickly unraveled. There were no jobs waiting, only control, violence, and sexual exploitation.
We see it far too often. Offers of a better life. A job overseas. A way to support a family. It starts with hope but ends in exploitation. Traffickers know how to manipulate vulnerability, and they do it every day, in countries all over the world.
Forced into commercial sexual exploitation and held in inhumane conditions, these women became the targets of a sophisticated, multinational trafficking ring operating out of Tirana. Isolated in a foreign country, the individuals trafficking them profited from every moment of their abuse while hiding behind false identities and layers of criminal networks.
In March 2025, the Albanian State Police launched a sweeping operation to dismantle this criminal network and free the women trapped in its abuse. Multiple search and arrest warrants were executed across Tirana. Eight traffickers were taken into custody, and the 44 women were freed.
The success of this operation was not by chance; it was the result of persistent coordination, deep trust, and dedicated preparation. Our Rescue is proud to support the Albanian State Police in their work to fight sex trafficking. Our team has provided technical equipment, training, and support to their team, which directly contributed to this investigation.
Now, those 44 survivors are safe. The traffickers who once held power over them are behind bars. And a strong message has been sent: trafficking will not go unchecked in Albania.
We are honored to stand with the Albanian State Police and others around the world who refuse to let trafficking go unnoticed. Together, step by step, we are helping to dismantle these networks and create a future where every person has the freedom they deserve.
Local media coverage: https://www.balkanweb.com/shperbehet-rrjeti-i-prostitucionit-ne-tirane-ne-pranga-12-tutore-dhe-1-oficere-policie-shfrytezuan-dhjetera-vajza-te-huaja/#gsc.tab=0