Property sealed in Vigo used for sexual exploitation of women by family gang
The UCRIF has sealed a residence in which three members of the same family forced vulnerable women to engage in prostitution under deplorable conditions.
Property sealed in Vigo used for sexual exploitation of women by family gang
Officers from the Central Unit for Immigration Networks and Falsification (UCRIF) have sealed an apartment in Vigo after establishing that it was used as a forced prostitution centre. Three relatives made up the criminal network, having been placed at the disposal of the courts in March on charges related to human trafficking, sexual coercion, violation of the rights of foreigners and membership of an organised gang. The information was published by the outlet VigoÉ.
The closure operation was carried out on Tuesday, although the investigation began the previous year following the death of one of the victims and complaints filed by two others. On 24 March, officers raided the property and found dozens of women being held there. They were forced to work night shifts of up to twelve hours, with minimal freedom of movement and in unhygienic facilities.
The ringleaders controlled every detail of the victims' existence. They chose their clothing, demanded they be available for clients at any time and only allowed them to leave the premises for a couple of hours per day, with prior permission. The premises had surveillance cameras inside. The arrested individuals pocketed fifty per cent of the earnings.
Most of the affected women arrived from other countries and contacted the organisation to obtain a position in the establishment. Some entered Spanish territory posing as tourists, despite their real intention being prostitution. Two social entities specialising in this area drew up reports that revealed clear signs of sexual subjugation and cases of extreme vulnerability. Among those affected were women who had started the activity as teenagers, those who were financially supporting their households and those who owed substantial sums of money.
Given the risk that illegal activity would continue, the security forces requested a closure order from the judicial authority. When the property was sealed, it had already been vacated, as all the women had left after the police operation. According to law enforcement, they currently enjoy full freedom of movement and receive welfare assistance.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)