Swiss police help uncover Europe-wide sex trafficking ring
The sex workers had to hand over their entire income to the procurers.
Keystone
Police in western Switzerland have taken part in an operation to dismantle a Europe-wide network of human trafficking based in Romania suspected of forcing women to work as prostitutes.
Four suspects were arrested in Romania and several premises searched in Switzerland as part of a joint operation, police in the Swiss city of Lausanne confirmed on Monday.
Arrest warrants have been issued for five other suspects. They will have to stand trial in Romania.
At least 15 victims and nine suspected procurers were identified according to a police statement.
The young women had to hand over the entire income to their pimps and faced death threats if they tried to disobey orders. The proceeds of their activity as prostitutes was sent to Romania to buy luxury cars and for gambling, the statement adds.
A young prostitute from Romania was killed by a client outside Lausanne in 2016. Her body was found in neighbouring France.
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