The Guardia Civil has freed 25 women and arrested four people in Ibiza as part of an investigation into an alleged criminal organisation suspected of human trafficking for sexual exploitation.

The operation, named Gecaroni, targeted a group that investigators say recruited vulnerable women, mainly from Venezuela, through false job offers before forcing them to provide sexual services to repay an alleged debt.

According to the Guardia Civil, the operation concluded on October 5, following several months of investigation by judicial police officers in the Balearic Islands. Officers also seized nearly €120,000 in cash, along with suspected drugs, electronic devices and material linked to the organisation's alleged surveillance activities.

False Job Offers Used to Recruit Women

Investigators say the organisation targeted women from particularly vulnerable backgrounds, mainly Venezuelans aged between 18 and 25.

The women were allegedly offered jobs in hospitality or manicure services, encouraging them to travel to Spain expecting legitimate employment.

According to the Guardia Civil, members of the organisation collected the women at an airport after their arrival and removed some of their belongings and the cash they had brought with them.

They were then taken to properties linked to the group and allegedly told they owed approximately €5,000. Investigators say they were required to repay this debt by providing sexual services.

Coercion, Surveillance and Control

The Guardia Civil says the women were subjected to strict supervision and coercion, with the organisation allegedly exploiting their vulnerable circumstances and irregular immigration status to intimidate them and discourage them from seeking help.

Investigators identified direct surveillance and video-monitoring systems allegedly used to control the women's movements.

According to the investigation, customer contacts were arranged through messaging applications. Women were also allegedly presented at certain locations in the Playa d'en Bossa nightlife area and transported to customers' private homes to provide sexual services.

The Guardia Civil says the organisation carried out much of its activity in Ibiza during the summer months, before moving part of its operations to other areas of mainland Spain as the season ended.

Suspected Drug Sales and Money Laundering

The investigation also examined the organisation's alleged financial activities.

According to investigators, the group generated income not only through sexual exploitation but also through the sale of sexual-performance products and drugs to customers.

The Guardia Civil says the suspected proceeds supported a high-spending lifestyle that included the rental of luxury properties and vehicles.

Investigators also examined the possible use of companies linked to the alleged head of the organisation to launder proceeds from its activities. These suspected financial offences remain subject to the judicial process.

Four Arrests and Nearly €120,000 Seized

The police operation included four searches at properties linked to the organisation in different parts of Ibiza.

The Guardia Civil arrested four people and reported freeing 25 women. During the searches, officers seized nearly €120,000 in cash, which investigators suspect was connected to the alleged exploitation, as well as suspected drugs, numerous electronic devices and material associated with surveillance and the organisation's activities.

The investigation is being overseen by plaza número 2 de la Sección de Violencia sobre la Mujer del Tribunal de Instancia de Ibiza (Court No. 2 of the Section for Violence Against Women of the Court of Instance in Ibiza).

Several Guardia Civil units participated, including judicial police officers investigating offences against individuals, the Ibiza Territorial Judicial Police team, a specialist team investigating sexual offences, the Central Operative Unit, reserve and security units, and the canine service.

The Judicial Investigation Continues

The four people arrested are suspected of offences including coercive prostitution, drug trafficking and money laundering, according to the Guardia Civil.

Their arrest does not establish guilt. The allegations must be assessed through the judicial process, and the presumption of innocence applies unless responsibility is established by the courts.

The operation represents a significant intervention against suspected human trafficking for sexual exploitation in Ibiza, where investigators say the organisation concentrated much of its activity during the summer tourist season.

The Guardia Civil has not identified the arrested individuals in its public statement. No further conclusions about their individual roles or potential criminal responsibility should be drawn beyond the information released by the authorities.