Catalan Police Investigate Labor Abuse, Trafficking in Supermarkets Across Region
BARCELONA, Spain — The Mossos d’Esquadra, the regional police force of Catalonia, have conducted 36 investigations into human trafficking over the past eighteen months, resulting in 32 arrests and the identification of 24 victims. In a strategic push to combat this clandestine crime, the police force has introduced new anonymous reporting channels, including a dedicated email address and a QR code, to encourage citizens to report suspected exploitation.
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Subinspector Luis Moreno, head of the specialist unit, detailed the findings at a press conference held in conjunction with the upcoming World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Of the 24 formally recognized victims, 19 are women. The investigations uncovered 14 cases of sexual exploitation, two of labor exploitation, two involving forced marriages, and one case where a victim was forced into criminal activity.
Investigators have noted significant shifts in the operational methods of trafficking networks. In the realm of sexual exploitation, there is a marked transition away from traditional brothels toward temporary rental apartments. This move into clandestine environments often subjects victims to significantly worse and more isolated conditions. Meanwhile, labor exploitation is predominantly concentrated in supermarkets and marijuana plantations. Recruiters are also adapting their tactics, increasingly relying on fake job offers, social media, and digital platforms to lure vulnerable individuals.
The demographic profile of those running these criminal networks is also evolving. Of the 32 individuals arrested in the recent operations, 20 are women. Authorities have observed a sustained increase in the involvement of women within sexual exploitation structures, where they assume critical roles in recruiting, surveilling, and controlling victims, as well as managing their daily lives. In 2025, police arrested 12 women connected to these crimes, and by late July of the current year, eight more women had been taken into custody.
🔴 Els @Mossos confirmen les sospites: alguns "supermercats" que obren tot el dia amaguen tràfic d’éssers humanshttps://t.co/FCTb3iD3pr
— ElCaso.cat (@elcasocat) July 29, 2026
In cases of labor exploitation, victims are frequently subjected to exhausting shifts. Those trapped in the illicit marijuana trade are often forced to participate in criminal activities related to the maintenance and surveillance of the crops. In many instances, these individuals are made to live inside the cultivation facilities in highly unsanitary and degrading conditions.
Despite the successful operations, law enforcement officials stress that the visible data represents only a fraction of the actual problem. Subinspector Moreno emphasized that the true scale of human trafficking is much larger and nearly impossible to quantify with precision. This discrepancy is driven by the extreme vulnerability of the victims, their reluctance to report abusers, and a psychological barrier where many do not recognize their own exploitation. Instead, they often perceive their situation as a necessary means of survival in a foreign country.
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To bridge this gap, the Mossos d’Esquadra are heavily relying on public assistance. The newly launched QR code, available on the police department’s official website and social media platforms, is designed to be distributed in strategic locations to facilitate quick and secure tips. In addition to the 24 officially recognized victims, investigators have already conducted 127 interviews with potential victims this year to analyze indicators of trafficking. Authorities continue to urge citizen collaboration to uncover hidden cases and rescue those trapped in modern slavery.
