Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
A BROTHEL BAND in Malaga enslaving the women to work 24/7 managed to build an operation worth millions of euros, relying on white-collar professionals for money laundering.
Many of the women were from Colombia. They were kept in the building, along with servicemen who would come to the facility at any time and pay for sex.
The officers say that the gang controlled the victims, choosing when they could rest and with whom they could communicate.
Customers visiting these establishments, in Cartama or Malaga’s capital, received a range of narcotics.
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The clubs offered cocaine, ecstasy and Viagra-style pills.
The police believe that the set-up generated large daily earnings, which were then funneled into a second network of fake businesses to hide the source of the money.
Ten people have now been arrested, including four white-collar professionals – whose specific professions have not been specified.
They are accused of providing knowledge necessary to move the funds through front companies and sham owners.
Investigators have said that these professionals helped this group to buy properties, open bank account and transfer funds via a chain set up by looking legitimate.
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Police estimate that the gang amassed around €3.5 million in four years through this system.
When officers removed 42 prostitutes from two brothels in 2013, the case started to unravel.
At the time, police shut both establishments by court order and seized assets worth €9.5 million along with cash and several vehicles.
Officers reported that women from Colombia were brought into the country after being approached about difficult personal circumstances. Then, they were forced to become sexual slaves.
In the event of an inspection, they would also try to pose as small guesthouses by issuing fake accommodation invoices.
Investigators started tracking the group’s profits after the raids.
The police say that the gang leader has created a second organization consisting of four professionals, figureheads and shell companies.
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Each person allegedly played an important role in helping to move, hide or invest money.
The arrests in mid-November are the second stage of the case, bringing the total to 29.
The investigation in Malaga is still ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests or seizures has not been ruled.
The Olive Press is a great source for Malaga News.
