Human trafficking ring busted in Telemark; one suspect accused of ordering murder

A criminal ring allegedly lured at least eight vulnerable women from Colombia to Norway, forcing them into prostitution in the Telemark region. Three individuals, a 28-year-old man, a 28-year-old woman, and a 31-year-old man from Grenland, face charges related to human trafficking and exploitation.

Between December 2022 and November 2023, the accused are alleged to have arranged the transport of the women from Colombia to Norway. They then reportedly marketed and sold sexual services, housing the women in apartments in the Skien area and withholding their return tickets. The women were promised 40% of their earnings but received substantially less.

Adding a disturbing dimension, the 28-year-old male suspect is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors allege he attempted to arrange the killing of one of the exploited women after she had departed Norway. This case highlights a stark increase in South American trafficking networks, particularly involving women from Colombia, operating in Norway, according to police and anti-trafficking experts.

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What we are seeing is a drastic increase in what are South American pimp networks. Where particularly women from Colombia are in prostitution, and we see that these can be vulnerable to exploitation and human trafficking.