Spanish police dismantled a human trafficking ring in Madrid on February 23, rescuing over 1,000 women who had been deceived with false job offers and forced into sex work over the last year. The victims, primarily from Venezuela and Colombia, were promised jobs in the beauty or cleaning industries, according to Spain's National Police.
Upon arrival in Spain, the women were exploited in clubs, compelled to work long hours, and had limited freedom, being allowed only two hours out each day while under constant video surveillance.
Authorities arrested 48 suspects, including three main leaders - two from Colombia and one Spaniard, in raids in Alicante and Murcia, closing down three strip clubs involved in the operation. Police also confiscated cash totaling over 150,000 euros ($157,000), froze bank accounts holding 938,000 euros ($980,960), and seized 17 properties.
Six suspects were detained pending trial, while the others were released on bail to await their court dates.
(Note: $1 = 0.9562 euros)