In the province of Albacete, police have carried out a large-scale operation against an organized group involved in illegally importing and exploiting migrants for agricultural work. Eleven people have been arrested, six of whom have already been placed in pretrial detention. The criminals’ victims numbered more than 300, most of them Nepali nationals residing in Spain without documentation.
The operation began in the summer of 2024 in the small town of Villalgordo del Júcar, which had become a logistical hub for transporting and housing workers. Police officers, the Civil Guard, and labor inspectors discovered that people were being taken to farms across eight provinces: Albacete, Alicante, Castellón, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Murcia, Valencia, and Zaragoza. The scheme’s organizers exploited the vulnerability of migrants without legal status, coercing them into hard labor.
Exploitation scheme
The workers were brought to the fields, where they worked 12-hour days without breaks. They faced exorbitant fees for accommodation, transport, and even food, while wages were often withheld for months. In return, people received only basic groceries. Living conditions were overcrowded, with poor ventilation and a lack of basic amenities—mattresses on the floor, not enough showers or toilets, and sanitation far below acceptable standards.
Workers were transported in old vans that did not meet safety standards. As a result, there were several accidents, one of which led to the death of a Nepalese citizen. Authorities note that the living and working conditions were completely inhumane and violated every conceivable human right.
Investigation details
During the final stage of the operation, police conducted nine searches—eight in Villalgordo del Júcar and one in La Roda. Large amounts of cash, bank checks, accounting documents, forged papers, mobile phones, and computers were seized. Twelve vehicles, including two luxury SUVs, were also confiscated, and about twenty bank accounts linked to the criminal group were frozen.
Authorities emphasize that the organization had a complex structure with several interconnected divisions. Villalgordo del Júcar was at the center of the whole scheme, where migrants were accommodated and assigned to various farms. The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are possible.
Aid for victims
The operation involved not only law enforcement but also representatives of the Red Cross and the Embassy of Nepal. In total, 322 victims were identified, 294 of whom were in the country illegally. All of them received the necessary assistance, including temporary housing and legal support.
The case has been transferred to the court of La Roda, which has already ordered six suspects to be held in custody without bail. The remaining individuals are still under investigation. Authorities note that combating such crimes requires coordinated efforts between the police, the prosecutor’s office, and social services.
In case you were unaware, Milagros Tolón serves as the government delegate in Castilla-La Mancha and plays an active role in coordinating such operations. Police commissioner Antonio Bueno and head of the Civil Guard command Jesús Rodrigo are also known for their expertise in investigating crimes related to human trafficking and exploitation of migrants. Their joint efforts led to the uncovering of one of the largest labor exploitation schemes in the region in recent years.
