Eurojust supports the arrest of nine human traffickers in France and Spain | Eurojust

An organized crime group (OCG) active in human trafficking and sexual exploitation has been exposed, and its suspected members arrested with the support of Eurojust and Europol. The arrest of nine suspects in France and Spain brought the structured human trafficking network to a grinding halt. Six victims of human traffickers have been brought to safety.

After French authorities discovered an apartment used for prostitution in 2022, an investigation was opened which revealed the network's activities in human trafficking and sexual exploitation in France and Spain. The victims, mostly from Latin America, the Caribbean and Romania, were taken to France and then moved around the country to work as prostitutes in apartments rented for short periods by the OCG. Members of the network used the Internet to advertise paid sexual services.

Following the operation and the arrest of the suspects, six victims in France were offered assistance and accommodation by a dedicated non-profit organization.

To prepare for the day of action, Eurojust organized a coordination meeting between the French and Spanish authorities, ensuring smooth cooperation for coordinated actions. Eurojust has also contributed to the execution of several European investigation orders, freezing orders and European arrest warrants.

These actions were carried out by the following authorities:

• France: JIRS Nancy (Specialized Interregional Jurisdiction) and OCRTEH (Central Office for the Fight against Trafficking in Human Beings)
• Spain: Audiencia Nacional (Central Courts of Investigation numbers 1 and 2 and PPO) at the judicial level and UCRIF (Policía Nacional) at the police level