Belgian Police Dismantle Human Trafficking Ring in 35 Coordinated Raids, Rescuing 67 Victims
Belgian federal police have dismantled an international human trafficking network that exploited sex workers from South America, arresting six suspects in a sweeping operation involving 35 coordinated raids across Belgium and two in Spain. The operation, conducted on June 3-4 under the supervision of an examining magistrate in Leuven, identified 67 potential victims and seized more than €90,000 in cash along with luxury vehicles, according to VRT NWS.
A Structured Network Spanning Continents
The investigation, launched in 2025 by the Federal Judicial Police (FGP) in Leuven, uncovered a highly organized network that recruited women in South America, transported them via Spain to Belgium, and housed them in dozens of locations across the country. To avoid detection, victims were moved between premises on a weekly basis, making the operation difficult to track.
“The investigation, which began in 2025, focuses on suspects who are clearly engaged in the structured organization of prostitution of South American sex workers,” said Ellen Durie, spokesperson for the Leuven Public Prosecutor’s Office, as reported by Het Laatste Nieuws. “The suspects generated significant illegal profits through the exploitation of these women spread across dozens of properties throughout Belgium.”
The network operated like a sophisticated business, with victims charged exorbitant fees for accommodation (€250-€600 per week), transport, work materials, and advertising. These charges created a system of debt bondage, with some victims accumulating debts of up to €10,000, trapping them in a cycle of financial dependency and exploitation.
The Raids: A Coordinated International Effort
On June 3 and 4, 150 police officers executed 35 house searches across Belgium and two simultaneous raids in Valencia and Toledo, Spain. Nine suspects—five men and four women aged 28 to 60—were arrested in Belgium, while a 35-year-old woman who was internationally wanted was apprehended in Spain by the Policia Nacional.
Of the ten arrested, six were presented to the examining magistrate and formally detained on charges of pimping, human trafficking, and money laundering. The chamber confirmed and extended their detention by at least one month, according to the Belgian Public Prosecutor’s Office. Three other suspects were released after questioning.
Authorities seized more than €67,000 in cash in Belgium and over €23,000 in Spain, along with luxury vehicles including an Audi A6 and a Porsche. Six properties used for exploitation were sealed, and multiple bank accounts were frozen as part of a targeted asset-stripping strategy.
“Sexual exploitation affects lives,” Belgian police services stated. “That is why the fight against human trafficking remains an absolute priority, where we not only protect victims but also systematically disrupt the business model.”
A Growing Phenomenon
This operation is part of a broader trend documented by Belgian authorities and the Federal Migration Centre Myria. A December 2024 investigation by VRT NWS revealed a dramatic surge in Latin American sex workers in Belgium, with 3,738 profiles from the region counted on the advertising website Redlights in 2024 alone—making them the second-largest group after Western Europeans.
According to Eric Van Der Sypt of the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, increased pressure on Chinese human trafficking networks caused a shift, with Latin American networks filling the gap. Unlike traditional street prostitution, these operations are hidden in hotels, private apartments, and Airbnbs, making them far harder to detect.
The trafficking is not organized by a single hierarchical group but by a network of loosely cooperating cells that exchange addresses and victims in what authorities describe as a “prostitution carousel.” Profits are funneled to family members and companies abroad, particularly in Spain, and invested in sectors such as construction.
Victim Protection and Ongoing Investigation
The 67 potential victims identified during the raids have been referred to support services, including PAGASA, one of Belgium’s three recognized reception centers for victims of human trafficking. The operation involved 22 local police zones, multiple FGP units, the Immigration Office (DVZ), and Spanish National Police, reflecting a comprehensive, multi-agency approach.
The investigation was conducted under a Joint Action Day (JAD) framework, part of coordinated EU-wide efforts against human trafficking. Belgium recently hosted the EMPACT THB Child/Minors Trafficking kick-off meeting in Charleroi in February 2026.
What’s Next
The FGP Leuven continues its investigation under the direction of the examining magistrate, with further arrests and seizures possible as authorities pursue remaining network branches. The extradition process for the suspect arrested in Spain is pending. The case highlights the growing challenge of combating sophisticated, transnational human trafficking networks that exploit vulnerable migrants through debt bondage and systematic rotation, requiring ever-closer international police cooperation.