Palma de Mallorca, Spain – Police have rescued 15 women from a criminal organization that forced them into 24/7 sexual exploitation in clandestine locations across Palma de Mallorca.

The victims, all of Chinese origin, were lured through social media advertisements with false promises of legitimate jobs. Once on the island, they were coerced into prostitution, subjected to constant surveillance, and forced to provide services at homes and without protection for higher payments.

The operation led to the arrest of 14 people in the Balearic Islands (12) and Barcelona (2). Seven of those arrested have been placed in provisional detention. Authorities carried out ten raids and closed three properties linked to the network, seizing luxury vehicles, cash, weapons including tasers, knives, katanas, nunchakus, and high-value items such as jewelry and watches.

Investigators uncovered that the criminal group also profited from selling sexual stimulants and drugs to clients, earning up to €1.2 million in a single year from one of the brothels. The organization meticulously controlled finances, using websites and money transfers to China to hide the leaders’ identities.

The investigation began in April 2025 after two anonymous messages alerted authorities to women being held and abused. One escaped victim provided crucial testimony that helped police map the network’s operations, ultimately exposing a criminal structure linked to previous trafficking cases in Palma.

Police confirmed that all profits from the victims’ forced work were collected by the organization, leaving women with only partial earnings after deducting accommodation and living costs. The network also attempted to launder identities through sham marriages, further exploiting the victims.

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