Police across 17 countries have arrested 95 people suspected of involvement in online networks distributing child sexual abuse material. The international investigation also led to the rescue of a five-year-old child whose abuse had allegedly been recorded and sold online by a parent.
The operation, coordinated by INTERPOL under the name International Effort Confluencia, involved authorities in Latin America and Europe. Four coordinated investigations conducted between March and September 2026 resulted in 127 search warrants, with investigators targeting groups that used messaging applications to exchange and sell illegal material.
According to INTERPOL’s announcement on October 15, the networks increasingly relied on encrypted communication services and cryptocurrency payments. These technologies allowed participants to communicate across borders, organize illegal activities, and profit from abusive content.
One of the most significant developments occurred in Colombia, where investigators identified a five-year-old victim and arrested the child’s parent. INTERPOL’s international child sexual exploitation database helped connect recordings of the same victim, including material dating back to when the child was approximately one year old.
Authorities also uncovered evidence of extensive criminal activity in other participating countries. In Panama, police arrested the suspected administrator of an online group with more than 700 members that distributed child abuse material.
An investigation in Ecuador identified an individual allegedly participating in a similar group. Examination of electronic devices revealed more than 4,000 files containing approximately 15 GB of abusive images.
In Argentina, investigators arrested a suspect accused of sexually extorting minors. Police said the individual had communicated with more than 260 girls in different countries, allegedly pressuring them to provide increasingly explicit images and videos through threats.
The investigation also revealed that adolescents were participating in some of the messaging groups. Authorities in Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru and Spain identified minors who were requesting or distributing abusive content.
INTERPOL reported that approximately 89% of those arrested were male and 11% were female. Investigators expect the examination of seized devices and digital evidence to help identify additional suspects and children who may require protection.
The initiative received support from the European Union’s EL PACCTO 2.0 programme and the Human Dignity Foundation, alongside regional law enforcement networks.