Six Asian people forced to work up to 14 hours a day in La Rioja have been freed

The Spanish Civil Guard has freed six people of Asian origin, who were in conditions of labor exploitation in Calahorra (La Rioja).

As part of the so-called Huotui operation, four people have been arrested and are accused of the crimes of belonging to a criminal organization, human trafficking for labor exploitation, money laundering and tax evasion.

The organization’s asset study revealed that, between 2019 and 2025, the bank accounts of the main person responsible for the network registered movements of more than 5.2 million euros, of which around 3.4 million euros lack known traceability.

Start of operation

The operation began after an inspection of a building under construction located in the Azucarera Industrial Estate in Calahorra (La Rioja), where agents detected signs of a possible labor exploitation network.

Several workers of Chinese nationality fled at the sight of the officers, while the site manager tried to obstruct the police work by taking advantage of the language barrier to avoid the investigators’ questions.

The investigation confirmed that three men and one woman were part of a criminal structure responsible for the direction and economic management of the network that controlled the exploited workers.

Working Conditions

The organization recruited vulnerable individuals in China and transported them to Spain on tourist visas to work in the construction sector, with shifts of between 12 and 14 hours a day, seven days a week. They worked without any safety measures and in violation of construction industry regulations, endangering their health and physical well-being

From their wages, amounts were deducted for lodging and food. They slept on mattresses placed on wooden pallets, in deplorable sanitary conditions, lacking even the most basic living conditions.

To maintain control, the organization systematically resorted to intimidation and violence.

Operational Exploitation

During the operation, 11,000 euros in cash, various documents of interest to the investigation, and several vehicles used by the organization were seized.

In addition, eleven bank accounts linked to those under investigation have been blocked, and the business activity used as a cover for the development of illicit activities has been temporarily suspended.

Of the freed workers, one had a foot injury. They were given assistance and food.

The investigation was carried out by the Calahorra Judicial Police Team, with the collaboration of officers from the Arnedo Civil Guard, Public Safety patrols, the canine unit with dogs trained in detecting money, and the USECIC units from La Rioja and Navarre. The Logroño City Council and several NGOs specializing in social support and assistance also provided support to the victims.