SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE APR. (Press Europa) –
The National Police initiated an operation at the start of March aimed at combating irregular immigration and human trafficking, resulting in the apprehension of a 55-year-old man of Spanish nationality. He is facing allegations of facilitating irregular immigration, trafficking in human beings, and causing injuries, following the detention of a young Ethiopian woman.
The operation commenced after the young woman successfully escaped from the sailboat and sought assistance following an unforeseen incident at the port of Los Gigantes, situated in the municipality of Santiago del Teide.
The victim, lacking legal documentation and in a vulnerable condition, reported to local police that she had been held aboard a sailboat against her will and forced to work without pay, in addition to suffering purported physical and sexual assaults, as detailed in a statement from the National Police.
Investigations revealed that the young woman had fled an armed conflict in Ethiopia only to fall victim to a criminal syndicate engaged in human trafficking.
Her perilous journey included a route from her homeland to Mauritania, after which she was transferred to the Cabo Verde archipelago. There, she was put aboard the sailboat, under the control of the arrested individual—who has a prior record of drug trafficking—who allegedly exploited her situation during the voyage.
Following the start of the investigation, the suspect’s path was traced, as he attempted to conceal himself from law enforcement by hiding in remote coves along the coast of Tenerife while attempting to reach the Caribbean.
However, he was shipwrecked at Socorro beach (Güímar), and in light of the media attention surrounding the incident, he was apprehended in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and subsequently presented in court.
The victim has been referred, as a victim of human trafficking and irregular immigration, to the welfare network managed by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations, where she is receiving specialised care for her recovery and protection.
The National Police is continuing its investigations to identify any other individuals who may be implicated in this operation.
