The criminal network involved in the sexual exploitation of women was liquidated

At least 20 women were actually “captured” in Athens hotels. At the same time, some citizens held them by force, forcing them to engage in prostitution.

The criminal group of human traffickers was liquidated by law enforcement agencies of Attica with the assistance of the US Homeland Security Service. 8 arrests were made (5 foreigners and 3 Greeks). According to investigators, gang members transported young women from Latin America to Greece.

During the investigation, the hierarchical structure of the criminal group and the methods of its activity were revealed. In particular, the criminals recruited foreign women who came from Latin American countries, who faced serious financial problems, and transported them to Greece. The arrivals were accommodated in one of the 3 hotels in Athens, where they lived in cramped conditions. Men completely controlled their movements, forcing them to “accept clients.” For this, an office was created, working on the Internet site. At the same time, the role of each member of the organization was specified:

• The 37-year-old was responsible for the work of the office, performing a coordinating role in the entire spectrum of its activities, setting specific tasks for each employee,
• The 40-year-old, the 33-year-old and the 31-year-old are responsible for the transportation of victims, as well as for receiving (and keeping) income from prostitution,
• The 62-year-old hotel owner took over the accommodation of the victims and the provision of rooms for their sexual encounters with “clients”
• the remaining 6 members of the organization took over the management of the call center, while one of them took over the supervision and general management of the “office”.

Due to the special nature of the crime under investigation, the assistance and presence of representatives of the National Police and Immigration Service of Colombia (Policía Nacional de Colombia), the US Homeland Security Service (US Embassy in Athens – HSI – Homeland Security Service), as well as M.C.O. . “OUR GREECE” and “A21”, specializing in the assistance and protection of victims of human trafficking. The head of the Colombian mission, who was invited through the Interpol Department of the Police Cooperation Directorate of the Hellenic Police General Directorate, was the director of the Criminal Investigation Service and Interpol.

In this regard, simultaneous operational-search activities were carried out in three hotels where 15 female victims were staying. At the same time, the leader of the criminal organization, 3 drivers who had previously taken women on “love dates”, and 4 of their accomplices (telephone operators and a hotel manager) were detained. As a result of searches conducted in three hotels, the following were found and seized:

• 19 450 euros,
• 2510 USD,
• 4 cars
• GLOCK type pistol with 16-round 9 mm magazine,
• 16 mobile phones,
• laptop computers,
• portable media,
• money counter,
• numerous documents and handwritten notes.

Those arrested in the case initiated against them were taken to the competent prosecutor’s office, and 15 rescued women, victims of a criminal organization, were provided with appropriate assistance and protection.

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