Federal Police carry out action against human trafficking to Europe

Brazil´s Federal Police (PF) are carrying out today (Aug. 23) an operation against a criminal association specialized in international people trafficking. According to the Police, the group has lured people in Rio de Janeiro, in order to exploit them sexually or involve them with traffic drugs.

The Federal Police started investigating the case after a victim of the gang had managed to escape. The woman had been lured by an agent in Búzios, in the Lakes Region, with the promise of a job in Italy.

She had all her expenses with air tickets and the passport paid by the group. However, when she arrived in the Italian city of Empoli, instead of the promised job, the victim was put in private prison and daily forced into prostitution.

The police suspect the group is linked to the Italian mafia and also uses the victims as drug mules (people who transport drugs) for international trafficking.

In today's action called Lenocinium Operation, a preventive arrest warrant, and three search and seizure warrants are being carried out in Buzios, on the coast of Rio.