European Anti-Trafficking Operation Seizes Network Tied to Prostitution Rings
Authorities in Belgium have coordinated a major operation against a suspected criminal network allegedly moving Chinese women into Europe and coercing them into prostitution. The sweep began in Ghent, Belgium, where a coroner requested police action across 26 addresses. Alongside the Belgian searches, authorities in Brussels, Antwerp, Charleroi, Louvain, and Neufchâteau reported significant activity, including the detention of nearly two dozen victims who were believed to be held under exploitation—many of them entrusted to reception centers.
In parallel, law enforcement in Spain executed several actions, notably in the Alicante region, at the request of Belgian investigators. An individual linked to the network, with ties to an address in Torrevieja, was captured by immigration and anti-forgery investigators from the Alicante National Police, and Murcia authorities assisted in the operation. The detainee is expected to be handed over to Belgian authorities after extradition formalities are completed. In Torrevieja, a search of the suspect’s residence yielded evidence suggesting a connection to the prostitution ring. A separate intervention in Barcelona targeted the network but did not result in arrests at that time.
This extensive operation forms part of a broader inquiry into a suspected criminal organization accused of moving Chinese women to Europe and forcing them into prostitution. According to statements from the prosecutor’s office, the group allegedly used coercive tactics to recruit victims and then facilitated their trafficking into European territories where they were exploited.
About 25 suspects, including three Belgians and the remainder Chinese nationals, were detained for questioning before being presented to an investigating judge. Authorities describe a complex network that recruited women in China, arranged their transfer to Europe, and integrated them into the sex industry to extract profits for organizers and collaborators abroad.
Investigators say the network relied on a discreet, appointment-based approach via specialized websites and online platforms that posted sexual advertisements. The operation also involved the use of hotels, vacation properties, and other venues to host activities associated with the trafficking scheme. Victims were often transported between multiple European locations and were required to surrender the majority of their earnings to those in charge, who managed proceeds and, in some cases, directed funds overseas.
As authorities pursue this case, they highlight how the organization adapted its methods during the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting focus toward street prostitution in urban centers such as Brussels. The collaboration between Eurojust and Europol has supported the investigation, underscoring the cross-border nature of the crime and the need for ongoing international cooperation to dismantle the network and secure justice for victims. [citation: Belgian authorities and European law enforcement communications]