Massage parlors that were brothels: a network that sexually exploited 162 women is brought down.

BarcelonaAgents from the Civil Guard, the National Police, and Customs Surveillance have dismantled a criminal organization that sexually exploited women in vulnerable situations throughout Spain. In a joint operation, police forces freed 162 victims in different parts of Spain and made around thirty arrests. Although the group was based in the Valencian Community, it had begun to expand to other territories, including Catalonia.

The network recruited women of South American origin in vulnerable situations and forced them into prostitution in establishments posing as massage parlors. A total of 37 people have been arrested—nine have already been provisionally imprisoned—and 39 establishments have been searched in seven provinces.

The group was primarily established in the Valencian Community, but had been gaining presence in other territories. In Catalonia, two alleged massage parlors have been raided, one in Manresa and another in Reus, where eight women were released from each. In the second, the police have investigated two people, but no arrests have been made.

Sources from the Central Operational Unit (UCO) who participated in the operation explained to ARA that these establishments were not active when the operation began at the end of 2024, and that they were launched this year during the group's expansion process.

24-hour surveillance

The group acquired or rented single-family homes or commercial premises, which they renovated to give the appearance of running legitimate businesses. However, these centers were closed, had poor ventilation, and deplorable living conditions. The victims slept in bunk beds or in the same beds where they served clients, and were under 24-hour surveillance.

Police sources reported that the police investigation began between November and December 2024 after three victims reported being sexually exploited by several individuals in different parts of the state.