Spain smashes human trafficking ring

Spanish police said Sunday they had dismantled a human trafficking ring they said had exploited more than 1,000 women in the past year, mainly Colombians and Venezuelans. "The victims, mainly of South American origin, were lured to Spain with bogus job offers," police stated, adding they had rescued 48 women in an operation which brought 48 arrests.

Most of those detained, including the three alleged ring leaders, two Colombian women and one Spaniard were held near the eastern city of Alicante. The women were recruited in their home countries, "mainly in Colombia and Venezuela, with false job offers" in the cleaning or beauty sectors.

On arrival in Spain "they were transferred to clubs where they were sexually exploited" and "forced to work all hours," according to police. Six of those arrested are being held in pre-trial detention, police stated.