National authorities in Valladolid reported the arrest of a man linked to a violent sex trafficking case involving a woman who was coerced into prostitution and had her documents seized. Police sources described a disturbing pattern of manipulation and control used to exploit multiple victims and generate illicit earnings.
According to investigators, officers conducting Operation Craiova II detained a 29-year-old Romanian national on May 19. The suspect, already known to law enforcement for prior offenses, faced charges related to human trafficking, sexual assault, and prostitution-related crimes. The case is part of a broader investigation focused on dismantling a criminal network that allegedly preyed on vulnerable individuals across multiple municipalities. The authorities emphasize that the operation remains ongoing as more victims and associates are being identified and evaluated for potential prosecution.
In the first phase of Operation Craiova, announced on March 24, 2022, a criminal group operating in Valladolid’s Delicias district was dismantled. The group allegedly forced women into street prostitution along the Renedo highway, extracting payments from clients and demanding a percentage of the earnings as a condition of continued exploitation. Victims reported being subjected to threats and violence, often with intimidation directed at their families when resistance or attempts to seek help occurred.
Investigators indicate that the group used online platforms to identify and recruit victims, making false promises of romance and emotional connection. Once trust was established, the leaders allegedly lured victims into travel and relocation, moving them to different cities where control and coercion were intensified. The pattern involved isolating the victims, restricting their movements, and ensuring compliance through fear and manipulation.
During the second phase of the operation, authorities identified a woman in Murcia who had fallen prey to human trafficking. The Murcia Provincial Immigration and Border Brigade recorded her testimony, detailing how she was drawn into the network by a person she believed to be an intimate partner. This individual allegedly acted as the leader of the gang, using online contacts to establish a personal relationship before orchestrating coercive recruitment into prostitution.
The victim reportedly moved from Murcia to Valladolid in early 2022 after being promised a shared future. The recruitment method described as the “dear boy” technique involved emotional manipulation to secure a relocation and entry into the sex trade with the expectation of substantial daily earnings. The reality, however, was a deliberate plan to isolate, exploit, and financially profit from her labor.
Upon arrival at the residence of the suspect, the victim quickly realized she had been deceived. She was subjected to violent sexual assault, while the perpetrator confiscated her documents to prevent escape. The abuse extended to coercive control measures that kept her under the trafficker’s surveillance and influence, worsening her vulnerability and compliance.
Evidence gathered by investigators indicates that the traffickers forced the victim to engage in prostitution on public roads under harsh conditions, including freezing temperatures and long working days. The perpetrators withheld all earnings, further tightening their hold and increasing the victim’s dependence on the network for basic survival. The accused acted as the abuser and leader, regulating clients, setting prices, and dictating how services were performed.
There were reports that some clients demanded sexual acts without protection, despite clear health risks. Police actions in the initial stage of Operation Craiova last March enabled the first victim to escape the abusive situation. The detainee remains under the jurisdiction of Valladolid’s Criminal Court, with formal release proceedings under the ongoing investigation and charges process.
Authorities stress the commitment to pursuing all members of the network and ensuring continued protection for victims. The work of the police and border control agencies highlights the importance of coordinated investigations that trace online recruitment patterns, relocation schemes, and the ways in which coercion and violence are used to sustain trafficking operations. The public is urged to report suspected trafficking activities and to stay informed about the signs of exploitation as part of a broader effort to prevent such crimes in the region and beyond.