The majority of human trafficking cases in Ecuador are internal, for sexual and labor exploitation.  | Photo: @MinInteriorEc

Quito, July 25 (RHC)-- Ecuador's Interior Ministry reported over the weekend that 48 women victims of a network dedicated to human trafficking for sexual exploitation were rescued.  Ecuador's police raided "18 properties" and "rescued 48 women in conditions of captivity for sexual purposes," the Interior Ministry confirmed on its twitter profile.

It added that the network that carried out the kidnappings operated in Ecuador and Peru and added that 13 of its members were arrested for alleged links to the crime of human trafficking.

The operation was carried out by the Peruvian National Police, the National Directorate of Criminal Investigation and the Directorate against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.

"Trafficking in Persons is a crime typified in Art. 91 of the COIP.  It consists of transferring one or more persons inside or outside the country, violating their will. The objective is to exploit them in different ways," specifies the ministry.

In turn, the entity calls the population to report cases of human trafficking or suspicions through mobile lines enabled with "absolute confidentiality."  "Many times, people are taken with deception, threats, by force or with false promises" so the ministry suggests learning to identify, for example, false job proposals, one of the ways to capture victims.

So far no further details of the case are known, but another report with details of the arrest and the victims will be released after an accurate clarification of the facts and those responsible.