A network that recruited women in South America to sexually exploit them in clandestine apartments in Alicante has been dismantled by the National Police.
The organization recruited the victims through instant messaging applications, where members established contact with women in vulnerable personal, economic, and social situations. They gained their trust and convinced them to travel to Spain by employing deception and manipulation strategies.
The network aimed to simulate a purely tourist journey and thereby avoid suspicion at border controls by providing them with round-trip tickets, hotel reservations, and travel medical insurance to facilitate their transfer.
Potential hazards
The victims were compelled to repay a debt of up to 7,000 euros by working as prostitutes for the criminal network upon their arrival in Spain. It has been determined that the women were sexually exploited in a variety of clubs and brothels situated in Castellón, Madrid, and Seville, by the investigation.
In numerous instances, they resided in a single apartment for a number of days or weeks before being relocated to other apartments that were overseen by members of the organization.
The investigation indicates that the women were compelled to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and were provided with only two hours of leisure per day. Additionally, the victims were accountable for their own living expenses and the cost of contraceptives.
The distribution of profits, despite the fact that this condition was rarely met
Although this condition was rarely fulfilled, the profits from sexual services were theoretically divided 50 percent between the women and 50 percent between the woman in command of the flat.
Internet images
Additionally, the individual responsible for the property mandated that the victims relinquish their image in order to post advertisements on dating websites. They were also subjected to continuous supervision.
In the same vein, they were compelled to participate in any form of sexual service, regardless of whether they were protected, ill, or menstruating. Additionally, they were compelled to transport, consume, and offer narcotic substances, and they were subjected to punishment if they refused.
The investigation uncovered that a number of the women were living in significant fear of retribution from the organization. In certain instances, they were even sent photographs of their families in their countries of origin, with the intention of intimidating them and ensuring that they continued to work as prostitutes without reporting the situation.
Furthermore, the suspects conducted continuous transfers of the women between various brothels throughout the nation and demanded periodic debt payments via phone calls.
In the final phase
Four search and seizure warrants were executed in the province of Castellón as a consequence of the police investigation, resulting in the release of three victims.
In the provinces of Castellón (6), Madrid (2), Seville (2), and Alicante (1), the National Police carried out an investigation that led to the arrest of 11 alleged members of the network.
Four of them are currently in pretrial detention for alleged involvement in crimes related to prostitution, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, membership in a criminal organization, facilitating unlawful immigration, and crimes against public health.
Two mobile phones, a card reader utilised for the collection of payment for sexual services, and documentation associated with the illicit activity were confiscated during the police operation.
There is no agreement regarding trafficking
In order to facilitate citizen collaboration and the clandestine and confidential reporting of this type of crime, the National Police has established the telephone line 900 105 090 and the email address trata@policia.es. The call will not be recorded on the telephone bill.
