Under-age sex ring is cracked in Palma de Mallorca

A PROSTITUTION ring involving minors has been cracked in Palma de Mallorca.

The network would allegedly get the teenagers hooked on drugs.

Then, in exchange for drugs and small amounts of money, they would record adults performing sexual acts with the minors.

In some cases no condoms were used. Among the ‘victims’ were those with mental disabilities.

Investigators reportedly believe the ‘victims’ became trapped in this world through their addiction to the drugs and did not tell their family or other friends due to shame.

In some cases they were allegedly told that if they did not have sex with the adults or get their friends who wanted to get drugs do the same they would not be given the drugs and in some cases were threatened with physical violence.

Eight people were arrested, believed to be members of the criminal gang that ran the prostitution ring.

Of the eight arrested, six are men and two women aged between 20 and 65.

Three of them would allegedly perform sexual acts with the minors, while the rest would find them and get them hooked on the drugs.

They have been charged with the prostitution of minors, child pornography and drug charges.

Investigations into the prostitution network began eight months ago following the death of a 16-year-old young woman.

Her body was found shortly after midnight a few meters from her home and by her parents. She had died from an adverse reaction to drugs she had taken, an autopsy revealed.

Her parents told officers of her ‘unusual behaviour’ in the weeks leading up to her death, including how her circle of friends had changed and that she seemed to have extra money and they did not know where it came from.

Officers concentrated on investigating her new social network, discovering that together with another minor she had begun to prostitute herself in order to obtain drugs and money.

As the investigation continued officers discovered more victims, in all cases minors or with mental disabilities.

During a search of three properties in Palma de Mallorca, officers seized a video camera, various recordings of child pornography, €3,000 cash, more than 600g of cocaine and 1kg of cutting substance. Investigations remain open.

By Nicole Hallett