The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police, identified 24 victims of human trafficking in 36 investigations opened between 2025 and 21 July 2026. The cases led to 32 arrests, according to figures released by the force ahead of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Residents who suspect sexual or labour exploitation can report concerns through the new anonymous email address, [email protected], or via a QR code launched by the Mossos. The force has not provided the QR code’s web address in its announcement.

Cases and victims recorded by police

The Mossos opened 27 human-trafficking investigations in 2025 and a further nine in 2026, up to 21 July. They identified 15 victims in 2025 and nine in 2026.

  • 14 victims were identified in cases of sexual exploitation.
  • Five were identified in labour-exploitation cases.
  • Two were identified in forced-marriage cases.
  • Three were identified in cases involving forced criminal activity.
  • Police arrested 20 women and 12 men, 32 people in total.

Police warn of exploitation in private homes

Lluís Moreno, sub-inspector and head of the Mossos Human Trafficking Unit, said victims were vulnerable people. Investigators warned that sexual exploitation is increasingly taking place in flats and homes, while labour-exploitation networks have become established particularly in supermarkets and marijuana plantations.

“Since the pandemic, prostitution did not stop, but went into temporary rental flats,” Moreno said.

Moreno said criminal organisations had shifted activity from traditional brothels to private and temporary-rental properties in ways intended to make police detection more difficult. He also said social networks and messaging services were being used to recruit victims.

The Mossos announced the reporting channels as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons approached on 30 July. Suspected cases can be sent anonymously to [email protected].

Reported by Source Text Link, Irene Reina / ACN, larazon.es, Por Newsroom Infobae Seguir, La Vanguardia, Miriam Saint-Germain, Diari ARA.