A criminal organization that sexually exploited undocumented women has been dismantled in the Balearic Islands

The Civil Guard has dismantled a criminal organization that sexually exploited undocumented women, mostly young women from South America, primarily Colombia. This criminal group lured the women with false job offers in Spain and forced them to use drugs and work as prostitutes under constant threats and coercion.

As a result of this operation, twelve women, who had been subjected to forced prostitution for years, have been freed. The Civil Guard has arrested four men and one woman residing in Mallorca for their alleged involvement in human trafficking, drug trafficking, and money laundering. In addition, twelve women have been freed. According to the investigation, the organization may have exploited around fifty women.

The victims were forced to transport and consume narcotics in order to carry out their work, in most cases at the express demand of their clients. The women lived in a climate of constant fear, as they suffered coercion, threats, and intimidation. Given their irregular immigration status in Spain, they were unable to access healthcare, police, or social services.

The victims were constantly monitored by members of the criminal network and forced to remain available at all times to provide sexual services. Furthermore, the criminals profited financially both from direct payments for these services and from the sale of sexual enhancers and narcotics, which were commonly used by clients.

Three raids and searches in Mallorca

Once the perpetrators were identified and the workings of the criminal network were clarified, three raids were carried out at different addresses on the island of Mallorca, leading to the dismantling of this criminal organization based on the island and operating in several municipalities. During these raids, officers seized cash, doses of narcotics prepared for sale to customers, and several firearms (shotguns and rifles).

Fake job offers as a recruitment method

The investigation revealed that the women were recruited in their home countries through false job offers promising them hospitality work in Spain. However, upon arrival in Spain, they were forced into prostitution.

Following the arrests, the victim protection protocol was activated and the women were transferred to secure facilities, where they were informed of their rights and their comprehensive assistance process began.

It is possible that the new demonstrations will shed light on new methods of recruiting and transporting the women, as well as the possible existence of more members of the organization.

The operation was carried out by the Crimes Against Persons Unit of the Civil Guard’s Organic Unit of the Judicial Police in the Balearic Islands. Specialized police intervention and security units also participated, specifically the Reserve and Security Group (GRS) and the Citizen Security Unit of the Command (USECIC), as well as the Technical Unit of the Judicial Police (UTPJ), based in Madrid.