Hundreds of police carried out operations on farms in the Alentejo region, in the south of Portugal, this Tuesday (21), arresting 28 people suspected of human trafficking and labor exploitation, according to authorities.
It is believed that those detained are part of a criminal network that exploited immigrants from countries such as Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, India, Senegal and Pakistan, after luring them to Portugal with the promise of employment as rural workers.
Police said they carried out 78 searches, which resulted in the seizure of evidence and the “identification of dozens of victims.”
The detainees, both Portuguese and foreigners, are suspected of human trafficking, criminal association, aiding illegal immigration, illegal labor recruitment, extortion, money laundering and physical damage, among other crimes.
They will appear before a judge this Wednesday (22) to be questioned.
Cases of labor exploitation of poor immigrants, who are “trapped” in unpaid work, and human trafficking have increased in Portugal, mainly in the agricultural sector.
These people’s documents are often confiscated by employers and their pay is withheld. Many of the workers have precarious housing, with few or no amenities.
The Council of Europe reported that Portuguese authorities identified 1,152 alleged victims of trafficking between 2016 and 2020, but the number of investigations, prosecutions and convictions was relatively low compared to the number of cases.
Source: CNN Brasil
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