Five arrested in Spain for ‘enslaving’ fellow Portuguese citizens for years

Five Portuguese nationals have been arrested in Spain on suspicion of running a human trafficking and labour exploitation network that allegedly subjected eight fellow Portuguese citizens to years of abusive working conditions.

The arrests were carried out by Spain’s Civil Guard during Operation Portus-Cale in the village of Rincón de Olivedo, in the northern region of La Rioja, reports Spanish newspaper La Gaceta.

According to Spanish authorities, the suspects are accused of human trafficking, offences against workers’ rights and money laundering. Four of the five detainees have been remanded in custody pending further investigation.

The group allegedly recruited vulnerable workers in Portugal before transporting them to Spain, where their identity documents and mobile phones were confiscated, preventing them from seeking help or leaving.

Investigators say the victims were forced to work between 12 and 16 hours a day, including weekends and public holidays, while living in poor conditions and receiving little or no pay.

Some are alleged to have worked for years without receiving any wages, while others were reportedly paid as little as €4 an hour. According to investigators, deductions were then made for items such as alcohol, tobacco and other goods, leaving workers trapped in debt.

The victims were reportedly employed in agricultural work, vineyard pruning, construction projects, removals and other labour-intensive jobs. Investigators also allege that some workers were physically assaulted if they failed to report for work due to illness.

Investigators said one victim died after attempting to escape the group’s control. According to La Gaceta, the individual was struck by several vehicles on the N-232 road after fleeing.

Spanish authorities said the organisation was led by a woman known as “the Boss”, who allegedly operated the network alongside her husband, two sons and the partner of one of the sons.

Civil Guard spokesperson Miguel Ángel Sáez said the alleged system was designed to ensure workers remained financially dependent on those exploiting them.

“The system was designed so that the workers ended up owing money to those who exploited them,” he said.

Investigators estimate that the two principal suspects deposited more than €2.5 million into their bank accounts since 2022, much of it allegedly linked to agricultural labour carried out by the victims.

During searches of seven properties, officers seized €30,000 in cash, jewellery valued at more than €150,000 and a number of luxury vehicles. Seven bank accounts linked to the suspects were also frozen.

While victims lived in “unhealthy conditions, worked tirelessly and received minimum wages,” the alleged exploiters “amassed money, jewellery and luxury cars,” the publication adds.

The investigation has also widened to include several businesses that allegedly used the group’s services.

According to Spanish authorities, a wine company and one of its managers are being investigated over a suspected offence against workers’ rights after allegedly paying €569,000 to the network. Investigators are seeking to establish what knowledge clients may have had about the working and living conditions of the labourers.

Spanish authorities said the operation resulted in the liberation of all eight victims and the dismantling of the alleged criminal organisation.

The investigation remains ongoing.