Ten arrested in Belgian-Spanish crackdown on South American sex trafficking network
Nine people have been arrested in Belgium as part of a major investigation into the exploitation of South American sex workers, while a tenth suspect was detained in Spain. The Leuven Federal Judicial Police (FJP) carried out 35 searches last Wednesday and Thursday and located 67 victims.
"The ongoing investigation by the Leuven FJP was launched in 2025 and focuses on suspects who appear to be involved in the organised prostitution of South American sex workers," said Ellen Durie, spokesperson for the Leuven Public Prosecutor's Office. "The suspects are alleged to have generated substantial illegal profits through the exploitation of these women across dozens of premises throughout Belgium."
The various suspects are alleged to have recruited sex workers in South America and transported them to Belgium via Spain. According to the public prosecutor's office, the network operated throughout Belgium, with the suspects also ensuring that prostitution proceeds were transferred to family members and companies abroad.
"The victims were housed in various brothels and moved from location to location every week to avoid detection," Durie continued. "They had to pay excessive amounts for accommodation, work materials, taxi transport and other services, leaving them in a state of dependency and exploitation."
67 potential victims
On Wednesday and Thursday, 35 searches were carried out in Belgium, resulting in the arrest of five men and four women, aged between 28 and 60. Simultaneously, searches took place in Spain, in Valencia and Toledo, during which an internationally wanted suspect, a 35-year-old woman, was arrested. A decision on her extradition will be made in Spain.
During the searches in Belgium, police seized 67,000 euros in cash, sealed six properties and froze several bank accounts. In Spain, more than 23,000 euros in cash was confiscated, along with luxury goods, an Audi A6, a Porsche and relevant documents. Investigators also identified 67 potential victims, who are now receiving support.
Of the nine suspects arrested in Belgium, six have been remanded in custody and charged as perpetrators or accomplices of pimping, human trafficking and money laundering.
#FlandersNewsService | Picture for illustrative purposes only. © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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