The National Police force recently interrupted a criminal network involved in trafficking and forced prostitution, after a tip to the Victims of Trafficking Hotline guided officers to Cuenca. The operation resulted in the rescue of five women and the detention of six suspects tied to the organization. Police reports indicate the hotline played a pivotal role in uncovering the gang’s recruitment methods and the exploitation scheme they used against vulnerable individuals, with officials confirming the development on a Wednesday briefing.
The group operated with familial connections, using a structured infrastructure to attract women from Paraguay with promises of legitimate work and a brighter future in Europe. Victims were flown to Madrid or Barcelona, then transported to Cuenca where they were housed in a boarding facility. There, the victims were told they carried a debt that could only be paid through prostitution, a coercive tactic designed to trap them in a cycle of exploitation.
In response to the information gathered, the National Police launched a coordinated operation that led to the release of all five women. Law enforcement conducted two searches at a hostess club and a residential lodging, seizing 1,375 euros in cash and assorted documents. Six members of the network were taken into custody—five in Cuenca and one in Madrid—on charges including membership in a criminal organization, human trafficking, and crimes against the rights of foreign nationals and workers. Authorities noted that additional arrests could follow as the investigation continues.