The operation began in March 2025 with a declaration from a victim and culminated with the arrest of eight people, five of whom are now in custody. Five raids were made to search premises, with two closed down as they were being used for sexual exploitation.

The network attracted women, mainly of South American origin, with false promises of work. Once in Spain, the victims were transferred to premises and forced to work as prostitutes in inhuman conditions. They were imposed with a debt of 6,000 euros which they had to pay for through sexual exploitation around the clock, every day of the week, even when they were ill or during their menstruation periods. The network held back half of the income, maintaining them in perpetual debt.

The women lived in the brothels, with no freedom of movement, watched by video cameras and subjected to physical and sexual aggression, with no option of going to see a doctor. Some of them were locked in rooms with no food, drink or toilet for days if they refused to work as prostitutes. They were also forced to take drugs to increase their output and prohibited from refusing customers or services, even with a condom.

The organisation was mainly operating in Barcelona, with some activity in Marbella (Malaga) too, where they transferred victims as a way of increasing benefits, announcing them as “new”. The premises also sold cocaine and other drugs, multiplying the network’s income. To give the organisation a legal appearance, those in charge registered the brothels as beauty or massage parlours.

Thanks to the operation by the Barcelona City Police, in coordination with the Mossos d’Esquadra and National Police, 21 exploited women were identified, 18 of whom have been freed. The operation confiscated 44,455 euros in cash, 100 grammes of cocaine, 10.158 grammes of marijuana, a motorcycle and a Rolex watch.