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Date Published: 21/10/2021
ARCHIVED - 17 charged with trafficking women for sexual exploitation in Alicante
The criminal network based in the provinces of Alicante and Valencia, also had 'branches' in the UK, Germany, Poland and Russia
A transnational criminal network based in Alicante and Valencia that was allegedly involved in trafficking Polish and Russian women for sexual exploitation has been shut down and 17 people arrested.
According the National Police, the organisation provided victims with false medical certificates so they could travel to Spain and "avoid border closures caused by Covid".
And in addition to trafficking women, the network, which had 'branches' in the UK, Germany, Poland, Ukraine and Russia, also made "large profits" from drug trafficking and credit card fraud.
An investigation began during the summer following a complaint filed by a victim of the organisation.
"After several inquiries, officers confirmed the existence of this criminal group which had settled in Spain and recruited women in their countries of origin with false promises of work in Spain, England or Germany. Once they had moved to these countries, and using intimidation and the imposition of debts, they were forced to work as prostitutes in flats that the organisation rented for this purpose," said the police in a statement.
Faced with border controls due to Covid, the organisation hooked up with another criminal gang that, "in exchange for large sums of money", provided false medical certificates detailing bogus ailments so that the women could travel and enter Spain for treatment.
The police operation, in collaboration with Europol, involved more than 100 officers and eight searches were carried out in Alicante (five) and Valencia (three), where 40 kilos of marijuana and more than 300 plants were seized.
Police also confiscated 16,000 euros in cash, two vehicles, phones, laptops, jewellery, false identity cards and other documentation.
A total of 17 people were arrested, three of whom have been remanded in custody whilst the others, including two women, have since been released on charges.
Image: Policía Nacional
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