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Crackdown on PROSTITUTION network in Albania/ Europol and Eurojust react: Over 50 girls were exploited!

2025-10-04 08:25:51Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Crackdown on PROSTITUTION network in Albania/ Europol and Eurojust react: Over
prostitution

The two European law enforcement agencies, Europol and EUROJUST, have reacted to the crackdown on a criminal group that trafficked girls from Latin America and Central Asia to Albania with the aim of exploiting them for prostitution. 

In a statement, Europol  said that the network, made up mainly of Colombian nationals, recruited and transported women from Colombia to Europe.

While the victims were subjected to sexual exploitation in several European countries, including Albania and Croatia.

The announcement also states that the main suspect, identified as a High Value Target within a Europol task force, coordinated the group's activities, also distancing himself from direct exploitation.

The announcement further states that the Investigation revealed a highly organized structure within the network, with members assigned to specific roles ranging from recruitment and transportation to the control and direct exploitation of victims.

EUROPOL announcement:

A criminal network, mainly made up of Colombian nationals, recruited and transported vulnerable women from Colombia to Europe. Once under the control of the network, the victims were subjected to sexual exploitation in several European countries, including Albania and Croatia. The suspects operated with a high level of mobility, which complicated national investigations. International cooperation between Albania, Croatia and Colombia, facilitated through Europol, was essential in connecting the main organizers with local associates acting on their behalf in transit countries and places of exploitation. The main suspect, identified as a High Value Target within a Europol task force, coordinated the activities of the group, while also distancing himself from direct exploitation.

The investigation revealed a highly organized structure within the network, with members assigned to specific roles ranging from recruitment and transportation to direct control and exploitation of victims. Sexual services were advertised on adult websites, with negotiations over prices and services handled by call center operators, leaving victims with no control over their lives. The so-called “agencies” oversaw every detail, from recruitment to collection of money, often subjecting victims to psychological and physical violence, as well as threats to family members in Colombia. At least half of the illicit proceeds were funneled to the main organizer, who relied on sophisticated money laundering methods to cover the criminal profits.

Europol supported operational activities, facilitated information exchange and provided analytical support. On the day of the operation, Europol deployed an expert to Colombia to verify operational information in real time, support investigators on the ground and coordinate cross-border cooperation.  This investigation was supported by the Italian Ministry of the Interior through the multi-donor EU4FAST project addressing migrant smuggling and human trafficking in the Western Balkans.

Meanwhile,  EUROJUST  writes that 17 people suspected of human trafficking have been arrested, while during 16 house searches, evidence was found that will be used in further investigations into the criminal group. EUROJUST also writes that over 50 girls have been exploited for this criminal activity.

The report also states that the suspects had set up a human trafficking network to recruit vulnerable women from Colombia for sexual exploitation in Europe. According to EUROJUST, the main suspects organized their activities in a professional manner, distributing tasks among the network to avoid arousing suspicion and traveling around the world to complicate national investigations.

Seventeen suspected human traffickers were arrested in a global operation involving Albanian and Colombian authorities. The suspects had set up a human trafficking ring to recruit vulnerable women from Colombia for sexual exploitation in Europe. The day of investigation and action was supported by Eurojust through the Western Balkans Criminal Justice Project and Europol.

When vulnerable women arrived in Albania, they were forced into prostitution. The criminal group used online platforms to exploit women across Europe. It is believed that the group forced over 50 victims into prostitution. Any woman who refused to work was held against her will and threatened with violence against her family in Colombia. A hotel in Tirana was transformed to forcibly detain and sexually exploit women.

The main suspects organised their activities professionally, distributing tasks across the network to avoid arousing suspicion and travelling around the world to complicate national investigations. Thanks to international cooperation facilitated by Eurojust and Europol, links between local investigators and the main criminal group were uncovered. The Western Balkans Criminal Justice Project facilitated the participation of the Albanian Chief Prosecutor during the investigation. Europol supported operational activities, facilitated information exchange and provided analytical support. On the day of the operation, Europol deployed an expert to Colombia to verify operational information in real time, support investigators on the ground and coordinate cross-border cooperation.

The one-day operation resulted in the final dismantling of the criminal network, with simultaneous operations carried out in Albania and Colombia. Fifty-four victims from South America were identified and 17 suspects were arrested, 7 in Albania and 10 in Colombia, including a high-value target. During 16 house searches, authorities collected evidence and equipment that will be used in further investigations into the criminal group.


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