ROSTOCK, Germany, Feb 18 (AFP) - German police said Friday they smashed a major international human trafficking ring allegedly dealing in drugs, prostitution, extortion and money laundering.
Wrapping up a nearly five-year probe, investigators captured 21 suspects believed to be involved in a network smuggling women coerced into the sex trade into Germany and managing an underworld empire.
"Human trafficking is one of the most repulsive forms of organized crime," Interior Minister Otto Schily said.
"I thank all the officers involved in destroying this criminal organization."
Investigators believe the ring's kingpin is a 29-year Lithuanian man who has lived in the northern German city of Rostock since the late 1990s, Peter Lueckemann of the Rostock prosecutor's office said.
In raids in five cities, police seized 43,000 euros (56,000 dollars) in cash and froze 430,000 euros in various bank accounts. More than 340 officers searched 51 homes and offices, following up leads collected since 2000.
Tougher human trafficking laws go into force Saturday in Germany to bring the country in line with new United Nations and European Union guidelines, introducing tougher penalties and aid for victims to seek justice.
02/18/2005 15:37 GMT - AFP