Mexico and Colombia dismantle transnational sex trafficking ring

12 July 2024

Group was targeting vulnerable young women

LYON, France – Authorities in the Americas, supported by INTERPOL, have successfully dismantled a criminal network involved in the trafficking of Colombian women to Mexico, arresting its leaders and safeguarding eight victims.

In a coordinated operation between the specialized prosecutor’s offices, investigative police and INTERPOL National Central Bureaus of Mexico and Colombia, authorities arrested the group's main leader, a Cuban-Mexican citizen, in Medellín, Colombia, and his main associate in Yucatan, Mexico. Both suspects were wanted by Mexico and subject to INTERPOL Red Notices.

A profitable scheme targeting young women
The criminal group first came to the attention of police in June 2022 when victims in Mexico managed to escape and report their ordeals to authorities. The young victims, usually from impoverished backgrounds in Cali, Medellín and Bogotá, were promised employment as waitresses or hostesses in Cancun and Merida.

Investigations uncovered that the victims would then receive ‘official’ letters of invitation to facilitate their access to Mexico. Upon arrival, the women were greeted by members of the criminal group, who took them to safe houses and confiscated their passports. They were then forced to sign contracts bonding them to unaffordable debts, which would be paid off by performing sex work in bars allegedly owned by the group’s leader.

More:
https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2024/Mexico-and-Colombia-dismantle-transnational-sex-trafficking-ring