International operation against Nigerian minor asylum seekers trafficking ring

Police forces and judicial authorities in the Netherlands, the United States of America, England, Belgium, Germany, France and Spain broke up a trafficking ring of minor asylum seekers from Nigeria today by arresting dozens of people and searching their premises.
In the Netherlands the National Crime Squad, the Royal Marechaussee and the Northern Investigation Unit made 13 arrests in Amsterdam (6), Eindhoven (1), Arnhem (1), Rotterdam (1), Den Haag (1), Utrecht (1) and Leeuwarden (2). At the request of the National Office of the Public Prosecution Service five main suspects from Nigeria were arrested in New York, Madrid (2), Antwerp and Coventry. Already last week a sixth Nigerian main suspect was arrested in Dublin.

The internationally operating organization is believed to have been engaged in large-scale trafficking of minor asylum seekers, predominantly girls, from Nigeria to the Netherlands over a number of years. They were probably recruited under false pretences and then put to work as prostitutes elsewhere in Europe.
The human traffickers supplied the victims with false travel documents, flight tickets and instructions to seek asylum upon arrival at Schiphol Airport. The minors were placed in open shelters in the Netherlands, which made it relatively easy for the criminal organisation to keep control over the victims. Voodoo sometimes also kept the minors in line. In Nigeria they were forced to take a vow before a voodoo priest to repay a so-called debt. This debt had to settled with the earnings made in the prostitution. At their final destination the minor victims are under the constant supervision of a so-called 'Madam',

The investigation of the disappearance of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers from Nigeria started one year ago. An inventory made by the Royal Marechaussee shows that between January 2006 and today some 140 minor asylum seekers from Nigeria left their shelter to unknown destinations. In a number of cases they were stopped by the investigation team. Several girls have been found back working as prostitutes on the streets of France, Italy and Spain.

The investigation that was conducted under the authority of the National Office of the Public Prosecution Service led to close cooperation with Spain, Belgium, France, England, Ireland and the United States of America. The common objective of the European countries is the dismantling of the network of human traffickers. Moreover, the criminally obtained gains are investigated. It is believed that the suspects used underground banking systems to channel their funds.

The suspects arrested in the Netherlands will be brought before the Examining Magistrate in Zwolle this week. The National Office of the Public Prosecution Service requested the extradition of the main suspects in the United States of America, Ireland, Spain, Belgium and England. The investigation focuses on human trade, human trafficking, participation in a criminal organisation, falsifying travel documents, forgery and money laundering.

For information: Wim de Bruin