National Police agents carried out a major operation in the Region of Murcia focused on dismantling a criminal network involved in human trafficking, prostitution, drug dealing, and related offenses. The intervention concluded with the liberation of 19 women who had fallen victim to sexual exploitation and 22 people detained as alleged members of the organization. The scope of the incident included charges of human trafficking, forced prostitution, debt bondage, and the laundering of funds tied to illicit activities.
An anonymous complaint
A routine tip, received through an anonymous channel managed by UCRIF, alerted authorities to abuse within a prostitution network operating from an apartment. The victim described being trapped in a debt spiral tied to her work, with the debt increasing as she attempted to escape the exploitative setup. The first steps of the investigation established that a female-led operation controlled the apartment brothel, and there are indications it may have expanded to include two additional locations in Alcantarilla and Murcia, where many foreign women were forced to work.
The case underscores the vulnerability of victims who are coerced through debt and control tactics and highlights how organized crime can extend its reach across multiple sites to sustain exploitation.
More victims found
During the inquiry, authorities identified four additional women who had managed to flee the initial brothel. A formal complaint was filed by one of the survivors, who, with the support of others who knew her intent, exposed a structured human trafficking operation. The account detailed how victims were brought from their home countries under deceptive pretenses and then coerced into prostitution after arrival.
Subsequently, the women were compelled to continue working in another brothel while paying off travel debts. The operation’s leadership created a hostile environment, confiscating passports and maintaining strict control to ensure compliance and silence among the victims.
Well-structured organization
Investigators mapped the inner workings of the criminal network, which prioritized the trafficking of women from various Latin American countries, including Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, and Panama. The recruitment and preparation of the victims involved collaborators both in Spain and in the countries of origin. The head of the organization and the proprietor of the brothels financed the journeys, while others at the destination coordinated reception and lodging. Upon arrival, the victims were greeted by designated handlers who directed them to the brothels in Alcantarilla or Murcia, where they were housed and kept under constant supervision by a cadre described colloquially as the “mothers,” a term used within prostitution circles to denote those responsible for control and enforcement.
on-demand drug dealing
The brothels under investigation functioned as hubs for drug activity, with persistent sales of cocaine among clients and staff. The primary individual in charge of these operations played a central role in preparing and dispensing the substances or delivering them to the “mamis” at need. The establishment also attracted customers seeking drugs, making the location a recurrent point for trafficking and distribution.
Throughout the course of the operation, authorities located 19 women who had endured abuse within the surveyed facilities. These victims were offered support and the option to connect with the NGO APRAMP (Association for Prevention, Reintegration, and Relocation of Prostituted Persons). The investigation recovered significant quantities of cash, drugs—including 30 grams of cocaine, a substance known locally as pink cocaine or “TUSI,” marijuana, and associated paraphernalia—and several vehicles used to transport or prepare the drugs for sale. In total, 22 individuals faced arrest, with seven of them remanded in custody pending trial as findings were brought to justice. (National Police authorities)”}