This is the moment police raided an alleged sex trafficking ring that lured women to Spain with promises of jobs caring for elderly people.

Some 19 suspects were arrested and 22 women identified during searches spanning Mijas, Sevilla and multiple other towns and cities.

The Guardia Civil said victims had their passports confiscated on arrival and were told they owed around €10,000 in travel and accommodation costs.

They were then allegedly forced into prostitution through intimidation and threats, including threats to kill relatives in their home countries.

The investigation, named Operation Bonifaz, began after one woman escaped and provided information about the network.

Officers uncovered an alleged system in which women were regularly moved between properties controlled by different criminal organisations across Spain.

According to investigators, those transfers helped frustrate police inquiries while trapping victims in mounting debts.

The leaders of each organisation allegedly took over the supposed debt, increased it and demanded that the women continue working to repay them.

The investigation lasted more than nine months and involved specialist human trafficking and women-and-children teams from the Guardia Civil in Sevilla.

The first wave of raids took place in late September, when officers searched six properties in Sevilla city allegedly used for sexual exploitation, with support from Policia Local.

Eleven people were arrested in Gelves and Jerez de la Frontera.

Officers identified 15 women inside the properties. Two immediately sought places in specialist shelters, which investigators helped arrange.

Police seized €20,000 in cash, two high-end vehicles, surveillance equipment allegedly used to monitor the women, mobile phones and card payment terminals.

They also recovered accounting records and allegedly fraudulent contracts involving the victims.

A second phase this month involved six searches in Mijas, Vigo, Peñiscola and Alzira, resulting in eight further arrests and the identification of another seven women.

Officers seized an additional €7,780, electronic devices and documents.

The suspects were brought before the judicial authorities over alleged offences including human trafficking for sexual exploitation, sexual exploitation, sexual assault and membership of a criminal organisation.

Investigators are continuing to examine the seized material, and further police action has not been ruled out.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.