In late March Brussels federal judicial police cracked an organisation suspected of trafficking Chinese women that were being sexually exploited in Belgium. Seven suspects have been arrested.
The investigation started in May 2024 based on information from colleagues in East Flanders. The gang was allegedly directed from Brussels and forced some 30 Chinese women into prostitution at various locations across several Belgian provinces. According to the police, most of the criminal activities took place in the Brussels region.
"The victims, all women of Chinese nationality, regularly changed locations. To move the victims, as well as to carry out their criminal activities, the main suspects used the services of 2 regular drivers," police said in a press release. ‘Appointments for customers with victims were made through a so-called ‘telephone operator’, who acted as a middleman. The criminal gang is also suspected of having links to the Netherlands. Cooperation with Dutch police has been initiated. Some of the women found in Belgium appear to be known for prostitution activities in the Netherlands.’
7 suspects arrested
In late March of this year, investigators set to work and raided 16 addresses. They detained 7 suspects, who have since been arrested by an examining magistrate. ‘They are suspected of being the two ring leaders, 2 people suspected of acting as telephone operators, 2 identified drivers as well as one person suspected of having provided a helping hand to the criminal gang. The investigation is continuing and will attempt to determine the suspects’ exact role in the organisation.’
‘In addition to the suspects, the victims have all been questioned. In cooperation with Pag-Asa, a centre specialising in support for victims of human trafficking. Victims were offered protection as victims of human trafficking.