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18 detained in Portugal on suspicion of various crimes

Xinhua, November 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

Portuguese police on Tuesday broke up a criminal group, detaining 18 people suspected of human trafficking, robbery, pimping and forgery.

During the operation code-named "tightrope," police performed dozens of searches and identified more than 100 victims of the group's alleged illegal activity.

The criminal group consisted mainly of foreigners aged between 20 and 63, who were believed to have sought out workers abroad by promising them better lives. The suspects, 13 men and five women, also extorted money or sexually exploited women using violence, threat and coercion.

Police said the operation took place mainly along the coast of Alentejo in the west of Portugal.

The operation is still underway to identify if there are more members of the group or victims. Endit