Brazilian police dismantles international human trafficking gang

In an operation conducted today (Feb. 15), the Brazilian Federal Police dismantled in Fortaleza, Ceará state, an international ring specialized in human trafficking for sexual exploitation. Some 91 agents took part in Operation Marguerita, serving 135 search and seizure warrants, 13 orders of preventive arrest, two of temporary arrest, and 18 bench warrants, all of which issued by a federal court in Ceará.

The gang was made up of people “in charge of the enticement, recruitment, transport, international travel, lodging, and sexual exploitation of female victims in the target countries,” the police said. The victims were taken from Fortaleza to Italy and Slovenia to be sexually exploited. Officers from both countries also took part in the operation alongside the Brazilian police.

Even though the women were sent off from Ceará, the recruitment took place in other states, such as Bahia, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo, where some of the warrants were also executed.

The Federal Police warns that the crime of human trafficking for sexual exploitation is a “serious violation of human rights,” especially considering the vulnerability of the victims, who believe dignified employment awaits them and who instead are submitted to degrading conditions.

The prisoners are to answer for the crimes of international trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation, criminal organization, and money laundering. The sentence imposed for this sort of crime is up to 25 years in jail.

According to the police, the crackdown was named after the main nightclub in Slovenia where the victims were sent.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira