Spanish police say they have rescued 15 transgender Brazilians after breaking up a prostitution ring in the city of Murcia.

Key points: Items linked with the Santeria religion were taken from the flat

Items linked with the Santeria religion were taken from the flat Police said the victims were taken to Spain and forced into sex work to pay off debts

Police said the victims were taken to Spain and forced into sex work to pay off debts 13 suspects were arrested and four remain in custody, authorities said

The victims were allegedly coerced into moving to Spain before being forced into prostitution to pay back the costs of the move.

Police said that as well as the forced prostitution, they believed the victims were frequently beaten and forced to use and sell drugs, and often kept locked inside a flat.

They said evidence found in the flats suggested the victims were threatened with "black magic" objects linked to the Santeria religion.

Pictures released by the police showed a small shrine with figures and objects.

Footage posted by the police to social media showed multiple stashes of drugs and the small rooms where the victims were held.

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The investigation began when one victim filed a report with police, stating that he was forced to conduct sex work to pay off his entry into Spain.

Authorities said they made 13 arrests after raiding the flat and that the operation was headed by a Brazilian man.

Four of the suspects are in police custody, while the rest have been released on bail as the investigation continues.