In La Rioja, police conducted a large-scale operation against an organized group that exploited the labor of undocumented migrants in agricultural work. Seven people—six men and one woman aged between 28 and 50—were detained on suspicion of a range of crimes, including human trafficking, unlawful detention, violation of labor rights, and money laundering.
According to investigators, all those arrested are of Moroccan origin and recruited fellow nationals in vulnerable situations. They were lured from across Spain with promises of legalization and stable income, but in reality, they ended up trapped. Workers were housed in cramped and filthy quarters lacking basic living conditions. They were even charged money for the right to sleep on a mattress or use shared spaces.
The scheme operated through a network of companies and real estate, spanning not only La Rioja but other southern regions as well. People were transported to fields, where they weeded, pruned, and harvested fruits and vegetables. No official employment contracts were signed, and wages were paid in cash, often at minimal rates. In some cases, for a whole day’s work, they received only symbolic sums, such as one euro per kilogram of vegetables picked. Sometimes, workers were not paid at all.
Particular outrage was caused by the fact that among those exploited were three minors—12, 15, and 17 years old. They worked alongside adults without any guarantees or protection. During searches, police found 15 people in one house, and in a separate room locked from the outside, a married couple was discovered sleeping on the floor with only a single blanket and a tiny window for ventilation.
During the operation, police searched five residential houses and five warehouses, seizing over €22,000 in cash, jewelry, documents, and two vehicles. Many of the victims tried to escape when they saw the police approaching. In total, at least 45 people subjected to exploitation were identified, but the real number of victims may be higher.
