Two criminal organizations dedicated to the sexual exploitation of women in situations of extreme vulnerability have been dismantled

The Spanish Civil Guard and the National Police, as part of Operation “Munib Calamitas,” have dismantled two criminal organizations allegedly dedicated to human trafficking for sexual exploitation, operating in the city of Seville and various municipalities in the province. The operation resulted in the arrest of 15 people and the rescue of 15 women, all of Colombian and Venezuelan nationality, who were in a particularly vulnerable situation. The investigation also led to the freezing of bank accounts and the seizure of three properties linked to the criminal activity.

Two organizations coordinated to sexually exploit women recruited in South America

The investigation confirmed the existence of two organizations that operated independently, although they collaborated occasionally by exchanging women between different properties used for sexual exploitation. The victims were recruited primarily in South American countries, taking advantage of their precarious economic and social circumstances, and were subsequently transported to Spain, where they were subjected to strict control by members of the organizations.

Available 24 hours a day and forced to live in unsanitary conditions

Once in our country, the women were housed in properties that appeared to be private homes but operated as brothels. There, they lived crammed into small rooms, without privacy and in unsanitary conditions, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide the sexual services imposed by the organization. Furthermore, the €7,000 debt they had incurred with the organization was used as a control mechanism to prevent them from leaving the exploitation.

The investigation also revealed that the organizations followed a perfectly structured system to maximize profits. Those responsible took sexually explicit photographs of the victims and advertised them on digital platforms under fictitious identities, describing their physical characteristics and the services offered with the sole aim of increasing demand and generating greater financial gain.

15 bank accounts blocked and three properties seized

The properties where the operation took place were equipped with security measures, such as video surveillance systems, to hinder potential police intervention. During the searches, police seized, among other items, mobile phones, accounting records for the sex work, and €10,000 in cash. The asset investigation also led to the freezing of 15 bank accounts with assets exceeding €30,000 and the seizure of three properties allegedly used to launder the proceeds of the criminal activity.

As a result of the operation, four raids were carried out in the province of Seville (Utrera, Gelves, Aznalfarache, and Seville), where 15 people were arrested as alleged perpetrators of crimes including human trafficking for sexual exploitation, prostitution, violations of the rights of foreign nationals, membership in a criminal organization, money laundering, violations of workers’ rights, and drug trafficking. The 15 women rescued were in a situation of extreme vulnerability.