The National Policein a joint operation with the Civil Guard and the Colombian National Police, has dismantled a criminal organization of Colombian origin dedicated to the trafficking of women for sexual exploitation. 18 people have been arrested in Almendralejo (Badajoz) and Arrecife (Lanzarote), and the same number of victims have been released.
The women were recruited in their country with the false promise of a better life in Spain. Thus, the network paid for the plane and the processing of all the documents that involved a debt of 3,400 euros. In exchange, they withdrew their documentation until this amount was paid.
As the two police forces explain in separate statements, once in Spain, the women were transferred directly to a club from Lanzarote or collected at the Madrid airport, where they were transferred to Almendralejo (Badajoz). There, the organization had a house where they were forced to practice prostitution.
Two free hours a day
During the investigation, different statements were obtained from victims. They stated that they had the obligation to be available 24 hours a dayhaving one or two maximum free hours, being financially penalized if they did not comply.
In addition, they were forced to ask customers to buy them drinks offer them narcotic substances and medications, being permanently monitored by security cameras placed in the common areas of the home.
Six entries and searches have been carried out, three in the town of Almendralejo (Badajoz) and three in the town of Arrecife (Lanzarote). As a consequence, More than 30,000 euros have been intervened in cash, 32 doses of cocainemore than 130 erectile dysfunction pills, six mobile phones, as well as various documentation and computer material related to the investigation.
The operation has ended with the release of 18 victims and with the arrest of another 18 people, of which six have already been imprisoned. These are charged with the crimes of human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation, coercive prostitution, drug trafficking, distribution of medicines, against the rights of foreign citizens, crimes against workers’ rights and membership in a criminal organization.
The National Police has the telephone line 900105090 and the email address [email protected] to facilitate citizen collaboration and the anonymous and confidential reporting of this type of crimes, the call not being reflected in the telephone bill.