National Police officers and Customs Surveillance Officers from the Tax Agency in Murcia carried out a joint operation led by the Cartagena Court of Instruction No. 1, which led to the dismantling of a criminal organisation dedicated to the sexual exploitation of foreign women in an illegal situation in Spain in various establishments located in the Region of Murcia.
The investigation, which began early last year, allowed National Police officers to confirm the existence of a criminal organisation in the Region of Murcia that allegedly exploited undocumented foreign women in various strip clubs, where they were forced into prostitution under constant surveillance and abusive conditions.
To date, five searches have been carried out, one at the homes of two of the suspects and the rest at public premises. This has led to the release of 32 women victims of sexual exploitation, in addition to the identification of five other individuals who were being exploited for labour, according to sources from the National Police in a statement.
The victims, who were allegedly intimidated with firearms by members of the criminal organisation, were subjected to harsh restrictions on their freedom, being forced to be available seven days a week, subjected to 24-hour surveillance, induced to sell alcohol and drugs to their clients, and having to assume all expenses related to cleaning, electricity, or sheets, among other things, and having fines imposed if they did not comply with the established rules.
During the searches, officers seized €785,000 in cash, more than a kilogram of cocaine, marijuana, firearms, 10 high-end vehicles, and a large quantity of luxury jewellery and watches. This operation resulted in the immediate cessation of operations at a hotel, a nightclub, and a cafe.
In addition to the closure of establishments linked to the alleged criminal activity, Cartagena’s First Court of Instruction has ordered various financial measures to ensure financial liability that may arise from the crimes under investigation and prevent assets from disappearing or being hidden during the investigation.
The investigation has specifically prohibited several individuals from selling or disposing of their homes, other properties, and vehicles. Bank accounts have also been frozen, and the balances and interest deposited in them have been preventively seized.
National Police officers and Customs Surveillance Officers from the Tax Agency in Murcia arrested 14 people for these incidents, who are charged with the following crimes: criminal organisation, prostitution-related offenses, sexual assault, violations of workers’ rights, facilitating illegal immigration, illegal possession of weapons, violations of public health, and money laundering.
The head of the court ordered the provisional detention of four of the five suspects brought before the court last May.
Two of them are currently under these precautionary measures, and the other three are free with a travel ban, revocation of their passports, and an obligation to appear in court. APRAMP, the Association for the Prevention, Reintegration, and Assistance to Prostituted Women, provided assistance to the victims of sexual exploitation.
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