Interpol announced these arrests on Friday as the culmination of an operation extending across 12 nations, with actions taken against suspected offenders linked to a broader distribution effort believed to reach Asia and the Pacific. The operation began last year in Spain, where police uncovered instant messaging groups dedicated to the distribution of explicit child abuse content. Following the discovery, Spanish authorities collaborated with Interpol to expand the investigation internationally.

The arrests occurred in a range of countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, and Spain. Spanish authorities reported seizing multiple electronic devices and apprehended seven individuals across five provinces. Notably, two of those arrested included professionals who worked closely with children—a schoolteacher and a health worker, both alleged to have engaged in criminal activities involving minors.

In a related sweep, police in Panama arrested a teacher and other individuals in Central and South America, and investigators have since identified 68 additional suspects across 28 countries. The expansive nature of this investigation highlights the collaborative efforts between international police agencies to combat child exploitation on a global scale.