The National Police have successfully dismantled a sexual exploitation network in Elche that also involved the trafficking of synthetic narcotics, including pink cocaine, or “tusi.”

The operation concluded with the release of ten sexually exploited women. It also involved the arrest of twelve individuals who were associated with this criminal organisation, which operated out of two brothels in the municipality of Alicante.

The investigation commenced with an anonymous complaint

The National Police received an anonymous citizen complaint via email, which initiated the case. The message informed them of the presence of a network that sexually exploited South American women between the ages of 20 and 30 in a house situated in a district of Elche. After verifying the information and locating two brothels operated by the same network, officers initiated a comprehensive police operation.

Forced prostitution and complete control over victims

Deceptive employment offers from South America were used to bring the women to Spain. Once they arrived in the country, the organisation informed them that they had accumulated substantial debt and were required to repay it by working as escorts seven days a week. The victims were prohibited from leaving the premises at any time and were under constant surveillance by video surveillance cameras that were installed in the structures.

Hierarchical criminal organisation
Twelve individuals, each of whom was between the ages of 19 and 50, comprised the network. A couple, with assistance from a variety of collaborators, oversaw the scheme.

These individuals included an advertising professional who was responsible for managing advertisements on sex websites and several individuals who were responsible for transporting the victims. Additionally, they had connections in South America, where they recruited the women by making fraudulent promises of employment and exploiting their vulnerable situation.

Forced consumption and trafficking in “tusi” with clients

A warehouse was discovered during the investigations, which contained pink cocaine that had been adulterated with caffeine. In addition to distributing this substance, the organisation forced victims to ingest and sell it during sexual services. They consequently increased the clients’ reliance and realised larger financial gains.

Weapons, drugs, and money were confiscated during the inspections

The operation involved five home searches, resulting in the confiscation of the following items:

• A total of over 9,000 euros in currency
  
• Two luxurious automobiles
  
• Four simulated weapons, two of which are long and two of which are brief
  
• A variety of narcotic substances, such as MDMA, ketamine, marijuana, and anabolic steroids
  
• Electronic devices, mobile phones, and SIM cards

Additionally, criminal activity produced evidence of financial transactions between Spain and South America that resulted in proceeds exceeding 50,000 euros.

Detainees and the judicial situation

The Elche Court of First Instance has heard the twelve individuals who were apprehended. They have identified six of these individuals as critical members of the organisation and remanded three in detention.

All of them are accused of the following crimes: human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, offences related to prostitution, promoting illegal immigration, and drug trafficking.

Citizen collaboration is essential in the struggle against trafficking

The National Police aimed to emphasise the critical role of the public in the war against human trafficking. This case illustrates that the initial step in liberating victims from sexual exploitation networks can be an anonymous report. The police force encourages the public to persist in their efforts to identify and eradicate these criminal practices.

The Spanish Association of Property and Commercial Registrars reported that the province of Alicante accounted for an impressive 44.34% of total sales in the fourth quarter of 2023, the highest percentage among Spanish provinces in terms of property purchases by foreigners.

British nationals accounted for 9.80% of real estate investments in Spain. German nationals followed at 7.32%, French nationals at 6.06%, Belgian nationals at 5.57%, and Moroccan nationals at 5.50%.

Alicante has sold a total of 48,243 properties in the past year, making it the third most active province in terms of transactions, trailing only Barcelona (58,410) and Madrid (70,235).

Last Thursday, April 17th, a 12-year-old boy was rescued from La Glea beach (Campoamor) after he strayed perilously far from the shore on an inflatable boat. Although the green flag was flying and the seas were calm, the incident occurred at approximately noon. Nevertheless, a moderate offshore wind caused the float and the child to drift out to sea.

The rescue jet ski and the basic life support (BLS) ambulance assigned to the beach service were mobilised as a result of the lifeguard on duty’s prompt intervention, which identified the situation and promptly activated the emergency protocol. The operation was successfully completed without any significant repercussions. The child was rescued, and the medical team conducted an on-site evaluation, which confirmed his excellent health, despite the understandable apprehension.

The coordinator of the rescue and lifeguard service on Orihuela beaches emphasised the operation’s effectiveness, but he also emphasised the child’s family members’ limited presence during the rescue: “We were taken aback that they did not appear until the ambulance had completed the medical assessment.”

The lifeguard service is advising the public to exercise greater caution when it comes to minors in aquatic environments, even in ostensibly safe circumstances, as the bathing season approaches.