Greek authorities have dismantled a criminal organization involved in trafficking Colombian women to Greece, where they were forced into sex work at apartments and strip clubs, according to police.
This week, police arrested the alleged ringleader and eight other members of the sex trafficking operation, which has been active since at least 2019, as stated in a police report. A total of 29 women have been provided with protection and support, with the operation receiving assistance from non-governmental organizations.
The women were initially promised high-paying jobs as strip club dancers in Greece. However, upon arrival, their identification documents were seized, and they were confined to apartments in Athens. They were then forced to work at two nightclubs, owned by the suspected crime ring leader, where they were compelled to engage in sexual activities with clients to repay debts claimed by the suspects.
The investigation was initiated based on the testimony of one of the victims. Police conducted raids on the apartments, the suspects' residences, and the strip clubs, seizing cash, knives, bullets, and documents related to the group's operations. Additionally, two more men, including one residing in Colombia, have been identified as members of the crime ring but remain at large.
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