Luis F. Durán Madrid

Madrid

Updated Monday, March 25, 2024-11:50

The National Police has released three trafficking victims exploited in two marijuana plantations in the towns of Colmenar de Oreja (Madrid) and Chiloeches (Guadalajara), according to the Madrid Police Headquarters in a statement. An organization recruited the victims in Paraguay and Colombia with the promise of working in the construction sector and once they were introduced into Spain they were transferred to farms or homes where cultivation was carried out. 2,500 plants and more than 4,200 buds have been seized, which could translate into more than

270,000 euros in the illicit market.

The investigation began in May of last year when the agents became aware of the situation that several victims were suffering. The criminal organization carried out all the necessary procedures for its arrival in our country.

They bought their plane ticket and provided them with the money to justify their stay.

Once these people arrived, they rotated through different marijuana plantations where their functions were the

cultivation and pruning of the plants for their subsequent sale and distribution

. A part of the money earned was intended to pay the debt owed to the leaders of the organization.

The victims have been guarding the plantations for a long time, with continuous threats and coercion to which they were subjected that did not allow them to abandon that activity.

Permanent control

Not only were they in an irregular administrative situation, they were also subject to permanent control, regulations, withdrawal of documentation, use of surveillance cameras and abusive working conditions.

At the end of last year, this network dedicated to human trafficking for the purpose of carrying out criminal activities was dismantled and two of its members were arrested. The third member was arrested earlier this month.

The three detainees are considered alleged perpetrators of the crimes of human trafficking, membership in a criminal organization, against public health, electricity fraud and against the rights of foreign citizens.