Federal Police dismantles human trafficking network

In the State of Mexico , an operative by the Mexican Federal Police has brought down an international human trafficking network for sexual exploitation, rescuing 24 foreign women.

After launching an investigation and gathering intel for three months, the Federal Police in coordination with the Specialized Attorney's Office against Human Trafficking of the State of Mexico raided a motel in the city of Toluca – capital city of the State of Mexico – and rescued 24 South American women.

The victims – all between the 29 to 39 age range – claimed to be citizens of Colombia and Venezuela, and were taken to the offices of the Specialized Attorney's Office against Human Trafficking of the State of Mexico.

Two men were also arrested at the scene, both in their early forties, for allegedly coordinating the group's criminal operations from the Gran Vía motel.

According to the information gathered by the authorities, the women were recruited at their countries of origin under the promise of a job opportunity in Mexico. The women would then enter the country with a tourist visa and once in Mexico, the criminal group removed their passports and forced them into prostitution by threatening to harm their relatives if the women refused.

The victims slept at the motel and were forced to meet a quota of, at least, five clients per day. Some of the victims claimed they were beaten if they failed to meet their daily quota.

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