Major Human Trafficking Ring Busted in Spain, France

Spanish national police released this photo of four suspects arrested in the human trafficking bust. Image by CNN

A gang that smuggled Chinese citizens into the United States and Europe, sometimes sexually exploiting them, has been busted with 75 arrests in Spain and France, authorities say.

The trafficking ring was based in -- and directed from -- China, but its two suspected leaders in Europe were arrested in the operation, in Barcelona, Spanish national police said in a statement, according to CNN.

Besides the two main suspects, Spanish police arrested 49 others carrying forged passports at the airports in Barcelona, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca and five other cities. In France, there were 24 arrests.

Police said the gang charged more than EUR 40,000 (GBP 34,000; USD 53,000) for each person, most of whom would end up in the UK or the US.

The gang would give the immigrants instructions on how to avoid being noticed at borders, including attempting to blend in with groups of tourists, the BBC informs.

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