The Brazilian Federal Police rescued ten Paraguayan women on Monday during operations in Santa Helena, in western Paraná state. The action is part of an investigation to dismantle a network accused of international human trafficking for sexual exploitation, reducing victims to conditions analogous to slavery, and operating brothels.
The operations were launched following an alert issued on May 6 by the Tripartite Command, a police cooperation body involving Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina, which reported the presence of foreign women deprived of their liberty in the area. Santa Helena is located approximately 100 kilometers from the border with Ciudad del Este.
During the raids, agents identified that the victims had been recruited in Paraguay through false job promises or by exploiting situations of economic vulnerability. According to the investigation, once transferred to Brazilian territory, the women had their freedom of movement restricted and were subjected to a regime of debt bondage.
Two of the ten Paraguayan women reported abuses and requested immediate rescue by authorities. Police indicate that the organization exerted psychological control over the group through constant intimidation, blocking communication with family members, and confiscating all earnings generated from the services provided.
Acting on warrants issued by the Federal Justice system, investigators seized mobile phones, electronic devices, and record books to document the financial management of the illicit activity. The objective now is to identify all members of the transnational network and ensure assistance to other women who remained at the location under coercion.
If the charges are confirmed, those involved could face prison sentences ranging from 10 to 28 years.