Spanish national police in Melilla arrested a Moroccan man who was running a network for the sexual exploitation of Moroccan women in an irregular situation in Spain. Brought to justice, he is now in pre-trial detention, reports El Faro de Melilla. In a press release, police reported that this action by the Central Unit Against Immigration and False Papers Networks (UCRIF) also identified two women who collaborated with the detainee. They are now the subject of a search and arrest warrant because they are believed to be in Morocco for the moment. The arrest took place on February 18 and led to the dismantling of this network, which managed several houses located in a building in the center of Melilla. These houses were used both to house these women and as brothels. The victims had previously been spotted in Morocco and were deceived under false promises of work by one of the two women identified by the police. The network took advantage of the situation of these women and their social, family and economic vulnerability. Once brought to Melilla, the man would even control their relations with people outside the building were they were lodged. In addition to half of the money obtained for each sexual service, the women were to give 500 euros per month as accommodation fees. They were also subjected to insults and even physical attacks in some cases. The head of the network used the situation of these women to threaten to evict them from the building and denounce them to the authorities to be escorted back to Morocco if they decided to break the silence. The case is being handled by the Court of Instruction number 5 of Melilla which, in view of all the acts and existing evidence, ordered the detention of the head of the network, a 38-year-old Moroccan who has already been the subject two arrests for similar crimes. The investigation remains open pending further arrests by the UCRIF, concludes the same source.
