Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
The Guardia Civil has freed 22 women in a nine-month trafficking investigation that included arrests in Jerez de la Frontera and other locations across Spain, according to the force.
Officers said the operation, codenamed Bonifaz, led to 19 arrests in six provinces and remains open as investigators continue to examine seized documents and other material.
Two phases of arrests and searches
The first phase took place at the end of September and involved six searches at properties used for sexual exploitation in Seville. That stage ended with 11 arrests in Gelves, in Seville, and Jerez de la Frontera, in Cádiz.
A second phase followed this month, with six more searches in Vigo, Mijas, Peñíscola and Alzira. Eight further arrests were made and seven other women were located and identified, according to the Guardia Civil.
The force said the women were allegedly forced into prostitution in properties in Seville, Cádiz, Pontevedra, Málaga, Castellón and Valencia after an investigation lasting more than nine months.
What officers say the network is accused of
According to the Guardia Civil, those detained are suspected of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, two offences of sexual exploitation, one offence of sexual assault and membership of a criminal organisation.
The force added that the case formed part of its national action plan against human trafficking. All 19 suspects have been handed over to the relevant judicial authority.
The investigation began after one victim escaped from the control of the alleged gang and contacted officers, according to the details released on Friday.
