Sexual exploitation network dismantled in Tenerife: five arrested and three Venezuelan victims
The National Police dismantled a criminal network in Santa Cruz de Tenerife that was sexually exploiting Venezuelan women in a flat in La Salle.
Flat in La Salle concealed trafficking network: five arrested in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The National Police dismantled a criminal organisation dedicated to the sexual exploitation of Venezuelan women in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, according to diariodeavisos.elespanol.com. The operation concluded with five arrests and three victims identified in a property located in the La Salle area.
The investigation began in August 2025, when one of the victims voluntarily went to police premises to report her situation. Following that statement, officers began to trace the operation of the organisation and managed to locate the flat used for exploitation.
Recruitment in Venezuela and imposed debts as a control mechanism
The network recruited vulnerable Venezuelan women and organised their transfer to Spain. Once in Spanish territory, the victims found themselves with fabricated debts of between 4,500 and 8,000 euros, which they were required to pay off through prostitution.
Upon arrival in Tenerife, they were taken to the flat in La Salle, in Santa Cruz, where their sexual exploitation began under conditions imposed by those responsible for the network. The artificial indebtedness constituted the principal mechanism for keeping them subjugated and extracting financial gain from their activity.
Absolute control over the victims
Members of the organisation exercised total control over various aspects of the women's lives. They managed their bank accounts, posted adverts on contact websites, set the conditions of sexual services, and administered the money obtained.
The victims were obliged to remain available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, without any possibility of refusing any service. They also could not decide when to work or what to accept.
Search of the property and materials seized
Following several months of investigation, the National Police executed a search of the property under investigation. Inside, officers identified the three women victims and proceeded to arrest five alleged members of the organisation.
During the search, 8,630 euros in cash were seized, seven mobile phones, a laptop computer, a tablet and substantial documentation linked to the facts. All the material was incorporated into the ongoing proceedings to determine the responsibilities of those involved.
The police information does not specify the age of the victims, the nationality of those arrested, or whether any of the detainees has been remanded in custody.
Reporting channels for victims and citizens
The National Police recalled the importance of citizen collaboration in detecting trafficking and sexual exploitation networks. Anyone with knowledge or suspicions of such activities can report it via the free telephone number 900 10 50 90 or by email to [email protected]. Communications can be made anonymously and are treated confidentially.
Source: Google News VE — Crime