The National Police has freed 14 victims of sexual exploitation in Spain and Romania, who were subjected to attacks and humiliation by a criminal organization that, if the women did not get the money they demanded, shaved their heads, made them sleep in the floor or they took them out onto the balcony naked in winter. Two of the released women were in the town of Alzira (Valencia).
The operation, framed in the context of the joint investigation team (JIT) between Spain and Romania, has been coordinated by Europol under the guidelines of Eurojust, as reported by the Police in a statement. In total, agents have arrested nine people, members of the organization, who allegedly bought real estate and high-end vehicles to launder the profits they obtained from the exploitation of their victims. Eight of the detained people have been arrested in Alzira and one in Valencia.
As reported by the Police in a statement, the criminal organization recruited its victims through the 'Lover Boy' method. This procedure uses friendship or family relationships, sometimes by residing in the same geographic area, or through the creation of a profile on social networks or dating applications with which they show interest in a woman.
Those involved took advantage of the victims' state of need and forced them to prostitute themselves in public. The women were subjected to "abusive" conditions and were subjected to "brutal" beatings, including whipping with telephone cables, and humiliation.
If they did not get the money they demanded, between 300 and 400 euros a day, their heads were shaved and they were forced to sleep on the floor, under the pimp's bed, or they were forced to go out naked on the balcony in the middle of the night. winter. In addition, they were forced to have sexual relations even during their period.
Those allegedly involved purchased real estate and high-end vehicles to launder the profits they obtained from the exploitation of their victims. This money was sent to Romania by transfer through banks or agencies.
The Interior Attaché Office of the Spanish Embassy in Romania has cooperated in the operation, as well as the National Police of that country and the NGOs Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) and Amar Dragoste.
Three of the arrested people have been imprisoned for the crimes of trafficking in human beings for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced marriage, related to prostitution, membership in a criminal organization, threats and theft.
The agents have carried out two entries and searches in the town of Alzira and four in Turnu Mugurele-Teleorman (Romania) in which 3,600 euros in cash, a vehicle, four knives, jewelry, six mobile phones and documentation related to the investigation.
