Released 20 sexually exploited women in Malaga who were watched 24 hours a day

The National Police has freed 20 women sexually exploited by a criminal organization in Malaga.

All were forced to be available 24 hours a day to have sex, forced to sell drugs to their clientele, and permanently recorded through a hidden video surveillance system.

Up to 34 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in this plot, directed by citizens of Spanish and South American origin with activity in the capital of Malaga as well as in the municipalities of Marbella and Estepona, as well as Algeciras and Cádiz.

They are accused of the crimes of trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation, against the rights of workers, false documents, against public health, illegal occupation of real estate or illegal possession of weapons, among others.

The women were recruited mainly in Colombia.

The criminal organization had a "perfectly organized" network, as explained by the National Police in a statement, dedicated to recruiting through false job promises.

Their social profiles coincide with that of people in vulnerable situations and, through decoys with alleged employment contracts, they convinced them to travel to Spain.

Of the 20 women released, two of them have been identified as victims of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Deceived in their country of origin, they had contracted a debt with the organization and had to engage in prostitution to settle their accounts.

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Captured on social networks, controlled by mobile, sold on the Internet

Once on the Costa del Sol, they were exploited for work and sexually while they were subjected to permanent control by criminals.

These forced them to carry out "marathon days" and be available at any time of the day for their clients, to whom they had to try to sell different types of drugs, such as hashish or cocaine, according to police sources.

The women were watched at all times thanks to a hidden video surveillance system in the different brothels where they had to practice.

The cameras recorded them 24 hours a day without their knowledge, even when they were with the clientele, who also did not know they were being recorded.

In the brothels, the victims also had different obligations such as the daily cleaning of the house and its maintenance,

make the purchase or send photographs of the list of calls they received.

Everything appeared on a blackboard under letters written in capital letters: "Rules and duties."

The organization made profits in two main ways.

The first, labor and sexual exploitation of the victims.

The second, the sale of narcotic substances such as hashish or cocaine.

In addition, they illegally occupied properties that, through fraudulent rental contracts, they used as brothels.

Those investigated had created a network of companies that allowed the appearance of legality of the activity and its income.

Among these businesses were vehicle repair and scrapping establishments located in different municipalities along the Andalusian coast between the city of Malaga and the Cadiz municipality of Algeciras.

🚩20 sexually exploited women released in the province of #Málaga

🔹The victims were controlled with recording cameras and forced to sell #drugs among customers

🔹34 detainees and 14 searches in Málaga, #Marbella, #Estepona and #Algeciras (#Cádiz )#We are your police pic.twitter.com/TUDZWYA8zQ

– National Police (@policia) April 4, 2023

The operation, called Muralla, started in 2021 and has now culminated in the release of 20 women and the arrest of 34 people allegedly involved in the plot at different levels: from those in charge of accounting tasks and brothel management to the different collaborators. of the organization.

They are accused, among others, of the alleged crimes of trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation, against the rights of workers, false documents, against public health, illegal occupation of real estate or illegal possession of weapons.

In the 14 searches carried out by the police in private homes, brothels and workshops in Malaga, Marbella, Estepona and Algeciras, 82,000 euros in cash, 600 grams of hashish, various doses of cocaine and pink cocaine, a stolen car, prohibited weapons,

The National Police recalls that it has specialized units that combat human trafficking in its different aspects of labor and sexual exploitation.

To do this, they insist that citizen contribution is essential.

Complaints can be made through the telephone line 900 10 50 90 and the email trata@policia.es.

In both cases, free, confidential and anonymous services, because not even the call is reflected in the telephone bill.