Spanish police have rescued 25 vulnerable women who were allegedly forced into prostitution by a human trafficking gang accused of bringing them to Ibiza with promises of non-existent jobs.
After arriving in Spain, the young women—most of them from Venezuela—allegedly had their cash and personal belongings taken from them. They were also told they owed the criminal group €5,000 (£4,236), which they had to repay.
The victims, aged between 18 and 25, were allegedly coerced into prostitution and forced to take part in trafficking and money-laundering activities, according to the Civil Guard.
Police launched a major rescue operation on Monday, freeing all 25 women from captivity and arresting four people suspected of involvement in the gang.
Spanish police said yesterday: ‘The Civil Guard has freed 25 women, arrested four people and dismantled a criminal organisation based on the island of Ibiza dedicated to human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
‘Those arrested are suspected of forced prostitution, drug trafficking and money laundering.
‘The operation, named Gecaroni, concluded on October 5 and was led by Judicial Police officers from the Crimes Against Persons Area of the Civil Guard in the Balearic Islands.
‘The criminal organisation offered fake hospitality and manicure jobs to women, mainly Venezuelans aged between 18 and 25, who came from particularly vulnerable backgrounds.
Spanish police arrested four people during raids in Ibiza linked to the alleged human trafficking gang on October 5
Officers confiscated almost €120,000 (£102,000) in cash, believed to have been generated through illegal activities including sexual exploitation
‘Using these false offers, the gang persuaded the women to travel to Spain.
‘After they arrived, members of the network collected them from the airport and confiscated some of their belongings and the money they had brought with them.
CHECK THIS OUT: Terrifying Incident: Ukrainian Fighter Jet Engulfed in Flames After Being Struck by Russian 'Axehead' Missile During Aerial Combat – NewsFinale
‘They were then taken to properties connected to the organisation and told they had built up a debt of around €5,000, which they had to repay by providing sexual services.’
Investigators said the women were allegedly kept under strict control and required to remain available to provide the services demanded of them.
The gang allegedly exploited the women’s irregular immigration status to create fear and stop them from seeking medical care, contacting police or accessing other support services, the Civil Guard said.
During four raids in Ibiza, officers discovered surveillance and video-monitoring systems allegedly used by the gang to track the women’s movements.
Police also seized almost €120,000 (£102,000) in cash, believed to be proceeds from sexual exploitation and drug trafficking, along with several electronic devices and surveillance equipment.
According to the Civil Guard, the syndicate contacted clients through messaging apps and assigned the women to specific locations in Ibiza’s Platja d’en Bossa entertainment district.
A police dog and its handler search one of the four properties raided on Monday
Spanish Civil Guard officers pictured during one of the raids
From there, they would be taken to clients’ homes.
Investigators also found that the organisation made money from selling customers ‘sexual enhancers’ as well as narcotics.
This money paid for some members of the gang to rent luxury homes and vehicles, allowing them to ‘maintain a high standard of living’, according to the Civil Guard.
Police also said they believe they have uncovered a ‘network and the possible use of companies linked to (the gang’s leader to launder the profits from illicit activities’.