At least 17 people have been arrested in Colombia and Albania in connection with an international sex trafficking network that brought Colombian women to Europe, including Malta, for sexual exploitation.Ten suspects, among them the alleged ringleader known only as Lukas, were arrested in Colombia, while seven others were detained in Albania. The simultaneous raids were carried out in a Europol-coordinated operation that also involved Croatian police and Eurojust.‘Raphax’ NetworkThe group, known as Raphax, allegedly recruited vulnerable women in Colombian cities through social media, luring them with false promises of work in Europe.Once transported abroad, the women were forced into sexual exploitation and subjected to conditions “similar to slavery”, according to Colombian media.Victims were charged €5,000 for travel and accommodation but were unable to repay the so-called debt since their earnings were withheld. Many were controlled through psychological and physical violence, with threats also made against their families back home.Europol described the organisation as “highly organised”, with specific roles assigned for recruitment, transport, advertising, and money laundering. Sexual services were promoted online, while call centres handled bookings and negotiations.Raids Across Two ContinentsPolice raided nine properties in Colombia and seven in Albania, seizing documents, equipment, and firearms. Footage released by Colombian authorities showed handcuffed suspects being escorted from properties.In total, 54 South American victims have so far been identified across Albania, Croatia, and Colombia. Europol said investigations remain ongoing.Malta Named As A DestinationWhile Europol listed Albania and Croatia among the countries where women were exploited, Colombia’s police director general also named Malta, Montenegro, and Kosovo as destinations for trafficked victims. Maltese and Albanian authorities had reportedly been seeking the group’s alleged leader.Not The First Case In MaltaThis isn’t the first time Colombian women have been trafficked to Malta.Last year, nine people, mostly Maltese, were charged over a prostitution racket involving Latin American women. Victims in court described being forced to service thousands of clients within months. In a separate case, an Italian man living in Malta was accused of trafficking three Colombian women, one of whom testified that she had received death threats against her and her family.What do you make of this?Photo via Interpol•