NATIONAL Police officers have dismantled a group accused of favouring illegal immigration, prostitution and child pornography, arresting nine people (one man and eight women), a spokesman said yesterday. The operation was code named Lilie, and further arrests have not been ruled out.
The spokesman said that the gang specialised in bringing in to the country young Chinese girls who were later forced to work as prostitutes.
It is alleged that the gang used adverts in newspapers in China and in Chinese papers in Barcelona and Alicante, offeriing well-paid jobs as dancers.
The girls were then brought to Palma, where the gang had three flats in Calles Dragonera, Eusebio Estada and Plaza Pere Garau, from which they were forced to work as prostitutes. Investigations started three months ago, and the first arrests and house searches were made on January 31, when the police also seized cash and bank books with deposits of more than 40'000 euros. During the house searches, the police confiscated computer material containing graphic pornographic scenes featuring under age girls, the police spokesman said. This material is now being analysed by police investigators.
The police spokesman said that Vicente M N, aged 42, of Palma, is believed to be the leader of the gang and was allegedly responsible for controlling the women. The child pornography material was allegedly found in his possession.
Also arrested were Fenghua L, aged 40, the companion of Vicente M N, and also believed to be co-leader of the gang; Qian X, 39, and Shouqhin Z, 33, who allegedly guarded the women and their comings and goings, preventing them from making contacts. Jing F, 38, Jing L, 37, Lijun Z, 45, Soon L, 22 and Jiahua T, 31, have also been arrested for being in Spain illegally.
Gang of nine arrested on prostitution and child pornography charges