Police in Spain and Portugal have arrested six people during an operation that dismantled an international human trafficking network accused of smuggling more than 1,000 foreign workers into Spain with forged documents, Spanish authorities said.
Five suspects were caught in Barcelona and the suspected ringleader in the United Arab Emirates. Two of the suspects remain in pre-trial detention.
The syndicate primarily targeted citizens of Colombia and Peru, charging them up to 300 euros ($350) for bogus employment contracts. Victims were instructed to enter Europe as tourists under the pretense of working as welders in Portugal, but were instead diverted to the Spanish metallurgical sector.
According to the Spanish National Police, the victims were denied social security coverage and forced to work without proper safety equipment, resulting in multiple workplace accidents.
During the operation, authorities froze multiple bank accounts tied to a front company used by the network and confiscated three vehicles, including two luxury cars.
