# Spanish law enforcement operations against exploitation

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/spanish-law-enforcement-operations-against-exploitation
> Updated: 2026-11-03T11:38:41.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 2.

Spanish authorities, including the Guardia Civil and National Police, have conducted several operations targeting various forms of exploitation and criminal networks.

In late October, investigations in Burgos and Cantabria uncovered schemes involving the exploitation of foreign nationals. In Burgos, a network of Spanish and Brazilian nationals allegedly profited from a scheme where Brazilian women paid for packages including accommodation and fraudulent residency registration to facilitate births and access to healthcare. In Cantabria, an operation resulted in 27 arrests of a group accused of sexual exploitation, drug distribution, and property squatting, where victims were allegedly lured with false job offers.

By early November, law enforcement expanded efforts to target the exploitation of minors. In Badajoz and Montijo, raids were conducted against a suspected network dedicated to the sale of minors, resulting in several arrests. Additionally, an international investigation originating in Zaragoza led to the detention of 17 individuals across 15 countries, including Spain, for the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material. One suspect in this case allegedly produced abuse videos using minors from his own family.

In early November, a joint operation by the National Police and the Civil Guard led to the arrest of six individuals, including a Spanish woman, in connection with a suspected minor trafficking network operating in Badajoz, Montijo, and Linares. The primary suspect allegedly gave birth at her home to avoid civil registry records and subsequently sold at least four of her own children to other families for money, which investigators believe was used to fund drug consumption. The investigation remains under judicial secrecy as authorities work to identify further victims.

## Claims

- Nine people were arrested in Jumilla for drug trafficking, money laundering, and criminal organization. (reported by 2 sources)
- The investigation lasted two years. (reported by 2 sources)
- Police seized more than 700 doses of cocaine. (reported by 2 sources)
- Police seized 86 doses of hashish. (reported by 2 sources)
- Approximately 51,000 euros were seized. (reported by 2 sources)
- The group operated three drug sales points in the old quarter of Jumilla. (reported by 2 sources)
- The suspects used a self-service system where buyers collected doses from a building facade. (reported by 2 sources)
- The arrested group consisted of five men and four women. (reported by 1 source)

## Timeline

### 2026-11-03: Spanish police arrest woman for allegedly selling her own children

Six people, including a mother, have been arrested in Spain for allegedly selling her own children to fund drug use.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-authorities-conduct-operations-against-child-exploitation-networks

### 2026-10-22: Spanish authorities dismantle criminal networks in Burgos and Cantabria

Spanish authorities have dismantled two criminal networks: one in Burgos involving fraudulent birth registrations for Brazilian women, and another in Cantabria involving sexual exploitation and property squatty

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-authorities-dismantle-criminal-networks-in-burgos-and-cantabria

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Cite as: Spanish law enforcement operations against exploitation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/spanish-law-enforcement-operations-against-exploitation