In the scope of investigation carried out by the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), the Public Prosecutor’s Office accused a couple, from the district of Braga, of committing crimes of trafficking in persons, pimping and aid to illegal immigration. The married couple, of foreign nationality, without other known professional activity, used several for prostitution, resorting to the raising of women of foreign nationality, some with recourse to the achievement in its country of origin.

The judgment found the two foreign nationals guilty of crimes of trafficking in persons, aiding illegal immigration and pimping, and sentenced them in a single sentence of imprisonment of five years, suspended from execution for an equal period. They were ordered to pay the sum of € 1,750.00 to the “O Ninho” Association, and must prove that payment in the proceedings within a year and six months after the final sentence of this judgment.

A national citizen was also found guilty of the crimes of pimping and aiding illegal immigration, responsible for renting the apartments, and sentenced to a prison term of one year and six months, suspended from execution for an equal period, subject to the obligation to pay the amount of € 1,250.00 to the “O Ninho” Association, and must also prove that payment in the case file within the suspension period.

That judgment, subject to appeal, also acquitted two other citizens who had been accused of committing crimes of pimping and aid to illegal immigration and ordered that SEF be supplied with computer equipment, mobile phones and vehicles.

In October 2014, the SEF had already executed two search warrants in housing and in a vehicle, seizing voluminous documentation related to crimes under investigated including, computer equipment, mobile phones and cash.

The investigation involved a substantial number of investigations, the collection of testimony and other means of obtaining evidence, and made it possible to ascertain the high profits received by the defendants.