A Bulgarian Man was Detained during a large-scale Interpol Operation against Child Pornography

Interpol has ended a two-year global operation to catch criminals running networks of websites with child sexual abuse material designed to generate advertising profits.

During the operation in Bulgaria, a 34-year-old man was detained, and the online forum managed by him, which facilitated access to thousands of files depicting severe sexual abuse of children, was closed, the Ministry of the Interior announced.

The operation, named "Narsil", began in December 2021 and lasted until July 2023.

"Operation Narsil sends a strong message to criminals making money from such websites that Interpol and police forces in 195 member countries know where they are, what they are doing and how to find them," said Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock.

According to him, every time a person clicks on these images, they are effectively entering a crime scene.

"As a result of identifying and removing these websites, online child abuse material is reduced and most importantly, re-victimization of the abused is reduced," Stock said.

In one case, a brother and sister - both in their early thirties - were arrested in Argentina. 14 electronic devices, cash and credit cards were seized from their home. The two are believed to have created, maintained and benefited financially for more than a decade from websites containing child sexual abuse material and associated advertising campaigns.

"Given the technological complexity of this case and the length of time the criminal activity went undetected, these arrests highlight the importance of police cooperation," said Argentina's Federal Police Chief Juan Carlos Hernandez, who is also the delegate for North and South America on the Executive Committee of Interpol.