Alarming human slavery trend revealed

Sydney: The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has just dropped some alarming news. They found a big jump in human slavery and trafficking cases this year. Can you believe it? They charged 790 people with nearly 1,850 offenses across the country in 2024 alone.

As the year wraps up, the AFP reported that human slavery cases hit an all-time high, with a 12% increase compared to last year. They received 382 reports of various forms of human slavery, including forced marriages and labor. There was even one case of organ trafficking!

In July, they arrested a guy in Sydney who they say was running an international crime ring. This syndicate allegedly brought a 17-year-old from Indonesia to Sydney for sex work. It’s just heartbreaking to think about.

Human trafficking is often hidden, but the AFP hopes that by bringing attention to it, they can help put an end to this terrible issue. A UN report even mentioned that one in three trafficking victims are kids. That’s just gut-wrenching.

On a related note, the AFP also reported seizing a whopping 33.7 tonnes of drugs and $110 million in assets this year. They’ve been busy with Operation Kraken, targeting a secret app used by criminals.

They arrested a 32-year-old man named Jay Je-Yoon Jung, who allegedly created this app. He’s facing serious charges and is still in court. Operation Kraken led to 52 arrests and the seizure of 230kg of drugs.

Plus, the AFP charged 1,062 people with over 1,200 offenses at airports. They’re keeping a close eye on things, especially at major airports like Sydney’s.

Assistant Commander Bill Polychronopoulos made it clear that the AFP won’t be taking a break over the holidays. They’re committed to fighting crime, both in Australia and internationally. It’s a tough job, but they’re on it!