Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – In a dramatic early morning raid at the Gbalamuya border crossing, Interpol agents smashed an international child trafficking network, arresting two Guinean nationals in a operation that highlights growing regional cooperation against transnational crime.
Acting on intelligence shared between Freetown and Conakry offices, Interpol’s National Central Bureau (NCB) executed a flawless apprehension of the suspects wanted for alleged child theft. The operation saw:
- Pre-dawn deploymentof special investigators at the Gbalamuya Work Station
- Seamless coordinationbetween Sierra Leone Police and Guinean counterparts
- Forensic documentationled by Detective Inspector Stella Sarah Kargbo’s team
In an emotional turn of events, the rescued child has been:
– Safely returned to parents after complete medical evaluation
– Provided psychosocial support through child protection services.
Meanwhile, the suspects now face justice after their handover to Guinean authorities under tight security.
The operation marks a significant advancement in:
Real-time intelligence sharing between neighboring nations;
Standardized protocols for cross-border criminal transfers;
Strengthened West African security architecture.
Interpol Conakry’s spokesperson praised the operation as “a textbook example of regional police cooperation,” while Sierra Leone’s Police Media Unit confirmed this sets precedent for future joint operations against:
- Human trafficking networks
- Cross-border criminal syndicates
- Child exploitation rings
This case exposes the dark underworld of transnational child trafficking while proving that determined international cooperation can dismantle these networks. With over 200,000 annual border crossings at Gbalamuya, such operations are critical for regional security.
Authorities confirm the investigation remains active, with forensic teams examining potential connections to larger trafficking operations across West Africa. SKS/5/4/2025
