Ciudad de Mexico, Nov 3 (EFE).- Authorities in the Mexican Caribbean state of Quintana Roo rescued 14 women, presumed victims of human trafficking in its prostitution modality, the State Attorney General's Office (FGE) reported this Sunday.
In a statement, the agency explained that the rescue took place at a property located on Miguel Hidalgo Avenue, between streets 93 and 95 of Supermanzana 93, in the municipality of Benito Juárez. There, they found "14 women, all of Mexican nationality, who were engaged in taking clients and offering sexual services".
According to initial investigations, clients paid 350 pesos ($18.86 or €16.26) for a drink, which included the company of one of the venue's workers, who would then perform sexual touches on them. Additionally, they charged 500 pesos for a "private" dance, which consisted of dancing naked. If clients wanted sexual relations, they had to pay 2,000 pesos for 15-minute services, of which the manager, Domingo 'N', kept 60 percent.
During the search, agents found condoms, cash, as well as notebooks and a laptop.
Following the search, agents placed the corresponding security seals on the property, which is now under the custody of the FGE.
The evidence found and the detainee were made available to the Public Ministry, which will determine their legal status, while the 14 women were transferred to the Attorney General's Office for their protection.
These events come after the U.S. Department of Treasury sanctioned the Bhardwaj Human Smuggling Organization (Bhardwaj HSO), based in Cancun, as well as its leader Vikrant Bhardwaj, three collaborators, and 16 related companies on October 30.
According to the agency, the network is accused of illegally introducing thousands of migrants from Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East into U.S. territory, and is also involved in drug trafficking, bribery, and money laundering.
