SET FREE: 13 women rescued from network of sex traffickers on the Costa del Sol

OFFICERS of the National Police have freed thirteen women who had been forced into prostitution, and arrested ten people in Malaga.
The criminal group was led by a woman who was acting as a liaison between Spain and a network in Nigeria, and it manipulated vulnerable women into owing between €25,000 and €35,000.
They were then forced into prostitution to repay the debt, and were deceived into believing that they would be able to pay it off within a few months.
In addition, members of the criminal group are allegedly also accused of crimes against property, both to clients of the prostitutes and others.
The women were transported from Nigeria and through Libya, where they spent several months in camps suffering a range of abuse.
They were then taken on boats to Italy before their final transfer to Malaga.
These women were thrown into prostitution on public roads, particularly on the seafront of Fuengirola and Malaga.
If there was ever any problem, the victims were assaulted and their lives were threatened.
One of the women did try to refuse their demands for her to work the streets, but they beat her and denied her food until she relented.
Eight Nigerians and two Spaniards have been arrested, while four raids in Malaga and one in Fuengirola have been carried out.
Several laptops, a range of documentation, and €14,500 in cash has also been confiscated.
The operation was part of the National Police’s Plan against Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation.
Anyone with information should call 900 105 090 or email trata@policia.es.