International sex trafficking network was led from Portugal

Eight women, from several South American countries, were released in Spain from an international sexual exploitation network led by a foreign couple detained this Sunday in the Algarve.

The network dismantled this Sunday was led from Portugal. He enticed vulnerable women in South America into the prostitution business.

Eight women victims of sexual exploitation were freed in Spain, as part of a joint operation between the Spanish and Portuguese authorities.

The police operation, called “Aurélia-Belona”, took place in cooperation with the Guardia Civil, Mossos d’Esquadra and the Judiciary Police, and culminated in the arrest of three people, including a couple who led the organization from the Algarve, reports the EFE news agency, which cites the Spanish authorities.

The couple, one 44 year old man and a 29 year old womanboth of foreign nationality, was arrested on October 7th, in Boliqueimein the municipality of Loulé, in compliance with European arrest warrants, on suspicion of human trafficking in Spain, revealed the PJ at the time.

During the house searches carried out by the PJ, “instruments relevant to the facts under investigation” were seized, as well as narcotic products, cannabis in the planting phase, and a significant number of ammunition for prohibited caliber firearms.

A third arrest occurred in Lleida (Spain) and, according to the Spanish police, he would be the person in charge of controlling the victims on Spanish territory.

The now dismantled network recruited women in vulnerable situations in South America, in some cases using paramilitary structures to guarantee their travel.

One of the women was transported through several Asian countries before arriving in Spainwhere it continued to be explored in different provinces, says EFE.

The investigation began in 2024 and culminated in simultaneous searches in Lérida, Tudela (Navarra), Irun (Guipuscoa), in Spain, and in the district of Faro (Portugal), with eight women from several South American countries being released.

The victims were rescued and are receiving specialized support, in accordance with protocols to combat human trafficking.

In addition to several documents, authorities seized 3,800 euros in cash, electronic devices, ammunition, narcotic products and other elements considered relevant to the process, according to EFE.