Spain police dismantle trafficking ring forcing South American women into prostitution

The Spanish National Police have broken up an international criminal organization that trafficked 24 South American women to Catalonia for sexual exploitation. The operation, launched after a victim’s complaint in December 2025, led to the arrest of 15 suspects – 14 in Barcelona province and one in Tarragona. The network lured women with false job offers as senior caretakers, arranged their travel, paid airfare, accommodation, insurance and provided cash, then forced them to work in brothels to repay fabricated debts of about 5,000 euros.

During simultaneous raids on six locations, authorities seized €116,720 in cash, numerous mobile devices, tablets, cocaine, marijuana, sexual stimulant pills, and a prohibited taser. The detained individuals face charges of belonging to a criminal organization, human trafficking for sexual purposes, forced prostitution, facilitation of illegal immigration, drug offenses and other related crimes.