The investigation has culminated in the arrest of 23 individuals, 15 women and 8 men, implicated in two criminal networks specializing in human trafficking. These organizations used properties in various Catalan towns, including Terrassa, to house the women, who rotated between apartments and were recruited through sexual advertisements.
On June 17, a joint operation was carried out with sixteen searches in homes in towns such as Manresa, Girona, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Dosrius, Granollers, Pals, Palafrugell, Sitges, Castelldefels, Sabadell, Begur, Palamós, Vic, and Terrassa. Operations were also conducted in Jaén and Madrid, where arrests were made.
The detainees appeared in court on June 19. The judge ordered pre-trial detention without bail for the 8 main suspects, five women and three men. Concurrently, five of the brothels were temporarily closed to halt criminal activity. The investigation remains open, and further arrests are not ruled out.
The investigation began in late October 2025 following the arrival of a young woman at a hospital in Sabadell, where medical staff detected indicators of human trafficking. This prompted the Mossos d'Esquadra's Victim Support Group to initiate an approach and transfer the information to the DIC.
For months, officers took victim statements, conducted surveillance, identified phone numbers and vehicles, verified rental contracts and utilities, and tracked sexual advertisements and money transfers abroad, with indications of money laundering.
Through false job offers, the organizations recruited vulnerable women from their home countries, financed their travel, and upon arrival in Catalonia, imposed abusive debts and subjected them to sexual exploitation.
Six victims have been identified and protected. In addition to the initial woman, two more were freed during the investigation, and three in the final phase. Their testimonies have been crucial in corroborating the network's operations, abusive conditions, and mechanisms of control and threats.
A total of 53 women were identified working in the investigated properties. Over 200,000 euros in cash, narcotics, three high-end vehicles, and relevant documentation for the investigation were seized.
