Last Tuesday, the Guardia Civil raided an apartment and a villa in Alcudia in an operation against sexual exploitation - women who had been forced into prostitution.
An investigation began several months ago after one of the women filed a report with the Guardia Civil. A second woman later came forward.
The women had come to Mallorca from Colombia. Their air fares were paid for, and they were offered supposed jobs in the hospitality industry. There were no such jobs. Once in Mallorca, they were forced into prostitution and threatened if they did not comply.
The women were constantly monitored and made to be available at all times to provide sexual services. The gang behind the prostitution profited from payments for these services and from the sale of sexual enhancers and narcotics.
Five arrests were made - four men and one woman. Twelve women were liberated, although the Guardia Civil believe there could be as many as fifty victims. The five appeared in court and the alleged ringleader was remanded in custody.