The Policia Nacional have freed 13 victims of labour exploitation and arrested 8 individuals for human trafficking. The arrests took place in Sevilla (7) and Cádiz (1), where the victims, mostly Colombian women, were forced to work around the clock caring for the elderly, without breaks or relief.
The criminal organisation responsible was discovered to be led by a Colombian family that exploited fellow nationals. The victims were recruited in Colombia, where they were in desperate need of work. The organisation promised them jobs caring for elderly people in Spain.
Victims forced into 24-hour care work
Upon arrival, the victims were forced to sign a debt agreement covering travel expenses, which they were then pressured to repay. After landing in Madrid, the women were transported by train to Sevilla and then distributed across various locations in the province. Here, they worked as live-in carers, providing continuous care to elderly people without any respite.
Criminal network’s threats and exploitation
The criminal group closely controlled the victims’ movements, restricting their freedom and making it difficult to escape. In some cases, the victims were urged to repay their debts quickly by resorting to prostitution. The organisation also charged them a commission for securing jobs, which increased their debts.
If the victims failed to make regular payments, the organisation threatened their families in Colombia. Some victims were forced to flee their homes and even leave the country to escape these threats.
Police raids and arrests
The police launched the operation after receiving reports of human trafficking in Sevilla. Three homes in Sevilla were raided, and a restaurant in Zahora (Cádiz) was inspected. During these actions, the police seized eight high-end mobile phones, €4,000 in cash, and substantial documentation related to the case.
Eight members of the organisation arrested
The investigation led to the arrest of eight members of the criminal network. Seven were detained in Sevilla, while one was arrested in Cádiz. The arrested individuals face charges of belonging to a criminal organisation, human trafficking for labour exploitation, and violations of immigration laws.
Anonymous reporting of human trafficking
The Policia Nacional have a dedicated hotline (900 105 090) and email address (trata@policia.es) to report human trafficking cases. The service is anonymous, confidential, and phone calls do not appear on telephone bills.
Also read: Guardia Civil and A21 launch campaign to combat human trafficking