Venezuelan Police Break International Child Trafficking Ring

Three young women return home after an international child prostitution network was unraveled by Venezuelan authorities, Government official Freddy Bernal told reporters Saturday.

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Police rescued the three 15-year-old girls during an early morning raid at a hotel located along the Colombian border and six people allegedly connected to the trafficking ring were arrested, Bernal said.

City official and United Socialist Party member, Bernal explained, "(The children) had been captured in San Cristóbal and were ready to be sold to a prostitution network in Colombia.

According to their testimony, two of the girls were also allegedly raped for refusing to cooperate with their captors.

"This criminal act is unforgivable and continues to investigate and work tirelessly, to ensure the tranquility and safety of the Tachiren families," he said.

Among those being detained are Ambar Roa, a woman allegedly heading the organization as well as Yordyn Castillo, Jesus Contreras, Jorge Rivas, Kevin Parra and Amilcar Santos. At least two police officers were also linked to the trafficking operation and remain at large.

"#DGCIM #Tachira has dismantled the prostitution and whitewashing network at the Pueblo Nuevo del Mcpio hotel. San Cristóbal, capturing 6 citizen actors of this atrocious act and rescuing three girls of 15 years."

The network operated in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela and police say their findings were the result of “several weeks” of investigation pursuing various reports of missing girls.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg," Bernal said, adding that contacts were established with the Colombian authorities to follow up the case on the other side of the border.