Mexico Extradites "Brothel King" to Argentina for Exploitation Charges

Mexico has extradited Raúl Luis Martins, an Argentine national known as "El Rey del Burdel" (The Brothel King), to Argentina to face serious charges. Martins, who spent a decade imprisoned in Cancun after his arrest, is wanted by Argentine authorities for alleged involvement in criminal association, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, and money laundering.

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He is wanted by the National Criminal and Correctional Federal Court Number 1 of Buenos Aires for the crimes of criminal association, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, and money laundering.

The extradition was confirmed by Mexico's Attorney General's Office (FGR), which stated it complied with the extradition treaty between the two nations. Martins is accused of leading a criminal organization from 2010 to 2019 that exploited women through establishments like bars and cafes. Investigations suggest he was a former spy for Argentina's State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE) and maintained a sophisticated extortion system.

Further complicating the case, Martins' daughter reportedly testified about her father's alleged links to drug trafficking. Publicly, he has also been associated with powerful cartels such as Los Zetas and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). His defense team had reportedly spent seven years attempting to block his extradition through various legal challenges in Mexico.

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From November 2010 to 2019, Raúl Luis Martins, “El Rey del Burdel,” allegedly led a criminal organization dedicated to the exploitation of women, using commercial premises such as “Bar,” “Café,” “Whiskería,” where said crimes were committed.

Martins was formally handed over to designated Argentine agents at the Cancun International Airport for his transfer to South America. The FGR stated it secured favorable results in combating the defense's legal efforts to prevent his extradition.

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According to investigations, Raúl Luis Martins was known as a former spy for the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE) in Argentina, and he exercised control in Argentine and Mexican territory, which was not limited to sexual exploitation; since he had a sophisticated extortion system.