Spanish police free 25 women lured to Ibiza with fake job offers and forced into prostitution

From the Newshound archive · first published 11 October 2026 · last updated 12 October 2026.

Spanish Civil Guard officers freed 25 young women, mostly Venezuelan, who had been trafficked to Ibiza on the false promise of legitimate work in hospitality and nail bars. Operation Gecaroni on October 5 led to four arrests and the seizure of almost £102,000 in cash. The women, aged 18 to 25, had their money and belongings confiscated on arrival and were told they each owed the gang €5,000.

After collecting the women from the airport and taking their cash and valuables, the gang coerced them into prostitution as a means of clearing the invented debt.

The four suspects face charges of forced prostitution, drug trafficking and money laundering after the Civil Guard dismantled the entire network.

Officers recovered almost £102,000 in cash thought to represent the direct proceeds of the victims' sexual exploitation.