Costa Blanca
Eight women freed from a brothel in Orihuela

The National Police shut down an organisation in Orihuela that recruited women for sexual exploitation and forced drug trafficking. The National Police detained a 57-year-old male and a 48-year-old woman as alleged ringleaders for offences including prostitution, public health, and money laundering.
The operation freed eight South American women who were being exploited in a brothel
The Alicante Provincial Immigration and Borders Brigade of the National Police took care of the inquiry, completing preliminary investigations that confirmed that the victims had been duped, taking advantage of their financial fragility. The criminals exploited pornographic websites to offer working conditions that were eventually not met, resulting in sexual exploitation.
The male was responsible for recruiting the victims, while the woman controlled the brothel in his absence, determining the rates and conditions for the services, which varied from 20 to 100 euros. They expected the victims to pay 50% of their revenues and be available 24 hours a day, with no option to refuse clients or services.
Overcrowding
The women were subjected to rigorous control: they had no keys to their homes, could only leave to buy food, and were watched over by video surveillance cameras. A diary also documented their earnings and job performance.
It was determined that the victims were also forced to take part in drug trafficking activities. They were ordered to go to a drop-off point and receive cocaine hidden in tobacco packets or plastic bags, transferring 10 to 20 grams per transaction.
They were cramped into a small room with three beds and little ventilation. When there were more than six ladies, some had to sleep in the sexual services area before leaving when a client arrived.
Arrests
Following the inquiry, officers entered the brothel, arresting two suspects and releasing five fresh victims, increasing the total to eight women aged 24 to 51, the majority of whom were in an abnormal administrative condition.
During the search, several items related to the crimes under investigation were seized, including sexual exploitation documentation, seven packages of cocaine, three cans of “poppers” (a substance allegedly used to enhance pleasure), 29 sexual performance-enhancing pills, 350 euros in cash, and two mobile phones.
The inmates had purchased the property where the events occurred using the proceeds from their unlawful activities. The detainees appeared before the Orihuela Court of First Instance.
Discover more from Costa Blanca Daily
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Costa Blanca
Consumer Affairs Ministry has blocked 65,000 Airbnb listings it considers “illegal”

The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption, and the 2030 Agenda has blocked over 65,000 listings on Airbnb that it considers “illegal.” According to a statement, the ministry, led by Pablo Bustinduy, has ordered the multinational’s Irish subsidiary to remove 65,935 listings because they violate advertising standards for this type of tourist accommodation. These listings are said to violate the rules of the autonomous communities where the Consumer Affairs Department found them. In all cases, the advertisements are for complete tourist homes; there are no listings for individual rooms.
Recently, the government claims to have issued Airbnb up to three resolutions informing it of the more than 65,000 unlawful tourist accommodation listings discovered on its platform, “resolutions in which this company was urged to block this advertising,” according to the Ministry. It should be mentioned that Airbnb filed an appeal with the courts to prevent the ban, and the High Court of Justice of Madrid has finally ruled on the initial resolution, issuing an order that supports the actions of the Consumer Affairs Department. In response to the ministry’s first order, the High Court of Justice has urged Airbnb to remove 5,800 tourist flat listings immediately.
Discover more from Costa Blanca Daily
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Costa Blanca
Firefighter from the Benidorm fire station dies in a climbing accident in the Pyrenees

A Benidorm fireman died in a climbing accident in the French Pyrenees on Saturday, May 17th, according to sources from the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium.
Although they could not specify his age or place of birth, they established that the firefighter, F.Ll, worked at the Benidorm fire station and was originally from the province of Alicante.
The Consortium’s official Twitter account, which does not provide information about the accident, has stated that it greatly laments the loss of its “companion and friend Fran Llorens, in a climbing accident in the French Pyrenees.”
They also stated that he is “an example of professional behaviour and treatment of others” and that he “honoured the uniform, leaving an indelible mark on the Benidorm park and #cpba (Aicante Provincial Fire Consortium).” RIP.
Discover more from Costa Blanca Daily
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Costa Blanca
National Police dismantle a house in Elche from which cocaine and marijuana were sold 24 hours a day

The National Police arrested three men and a woman in Elche for allegedly being part of a familial clan that sold and distributed drugs from a residence in “la puñalá.”
The drug sales point was open 24 hours a day, and the detained individuals had another residence that served as a warehouse for the drugs they would later sell.
During the operation, National Police officers discovered 350 grams of cocaine hidden inside a cement mixer, 10 grams of marijuana, a huge knife, a high-end car, and paraphernalia used for drug sales.
In addition, a marijuana plantation of 158 plants was discovered in one of the examined flats, illegally connected to an electrical outlet.
The detainees’ ages range from 35 to 60. All have been charged with alleged drug trafficking, membership in a criminal group, and electricity fraud.
After submitting a statement to the court authority, the person believed to be the group’s head was imprisoned.
According to the National Police on Sunday, the family clan intercepted had a clear separation of roles, with some in charge of selling the material and others in charge of carrying out surveillance activities around the residence under investigation.
Discover more from Costa Blanca Daily
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
-
Costa Blanca1 week ago
The El Raso, Guardamar celebrates with a Tapas Route and concerts between May 15th and 17th
-
Costa Blanca3 days ago
Iberdrola announces power outages in Alicante and 13 municipalities from May 17th to 23rd
-
Costa Blanca2 weeks ago
AP7 Motorway tunnel at Pilar de la Horadada CLOSED due to fire
-
News2 weeks ago
Four people arrested in Alicante province for storing and exchanging child pornography
-
Costa Blanca1 week ago
Elche joins the national protests for Palestine on May 10th
-
Costa Blanca2 weeks ago
Mosquitoes in Elche and Santa Pola are on the warpath
-
Costa Blanca2 weeks ago
One dead when a motorcycle collides with truck on Orihuela Costa
-
Costa Blanca2 weeks ago
Torrevieja will celebrate the Europe Day Gala tomorrow