The Guardia Civil dismantled a criminal network on Gran Canaria accused of recruiting unaccompanied underage migrant girls from reception centres for sexual exploitation in Spain and France, authorities said Tuesday.
Five people, including one minor, were arrested following five searches on the island during the operational phase of the investigation on 29 July. Officers rescued two victims and prevented four other minors from leaving their reception facilities, the Guardia Civil said.
The investigation began after one of the victims returned to Spain from France and reported being recruited under the promise of work, according to authorities. The network allegedly transferred girls to mainland Spain and France, where they were sexually exploited.