Agents of the National Police have released in the province of Malaga 20 women sexually exploited by a criminal network whose members subjected them to marathon days and tight surveillance through a hidden system of recording cameras, according to Europa Press.
Within the framework of the so-called ‘Muralla’ operation, 34 people have been arrested for their alleged participation in crimes of trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation, related to prostitution, against the rights of workers, false documents, against public health, illegal occupation of real estate, illegal possession of weapons, among others. According to the investigations, the plot forced the victims to prostitute themselves during marathon days and, in addition, forced them to sell narcotics among the clients.
Likewise, a total of 14 searches have been carried out in Málaga capital, in the Malaga towns of Marbella and Estepona, and in Algeciras (Cádiz), seizing 82,000 euros in cash, 600 grams of hashish, various doses of cocaine and ‘tucsi’ (pink cocaine), a stolen car, prohibited weapons, recording cameras, mobile phones and fraudulent documentation, the National Police said in a statement.
The investigation began in 2021 based on information that pointed to the existence, on the Malaga coast, of an organized group made up of citizens of Spanish and South American origin, who would recruit women in vulnerable situations, in order to exploit them for work and sexually, carrying out a tight control over them.
The investigations carried out found a perfectly organized network that was dedicated to attracting women, especially from Colombia, through false job promises.
Among the 20 women released during the ‘Muralla’ operation, the agents located two victims of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, who had been deceived in their country of origin and had contracted a debt with the organization for the payment for the trip to Spain, which they had to pay by practicing prostitution.
After carrying out various procedures, the investigators verified the tight control that the plot exercised over the women, even having, in brothels, hidden video camera systems that recorded the workers and clients, without their knowledge. , for greater control of the activity.
The organization made profits, not only from labor and sexual exploitation, since women had to be available 24 hours a day, but also from the sale of narcotic substances and the illegal occupation of real estate, which, through fraudulent contracts rented, they operated as brothels.
In addition, those investigated used a network of interposed companies, giving the appearance of legality, which they used to commit crimes, among which were several vehicle repair and scrapping businesses located between Malaga and Algeciras.
The operation has ended with the arrest of 34 people for their alleged involvement in the plot, distinguished among them from those in charge of accounting tasks and brothel management, to a wide network of collaborators and consorts.
Finally, the National Police have indicated that this operation is part of the National Police Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings for the Purpose of Sexual Exploitation.
