A black magic sect which has been using voodoo curses to force Nigerian women into prostitution is being investigated by Spanish police.

Police have carried out raids in Spain's major cities against members of the so-called voodoo cult, which carried out rituals and black magic to keep the women, some of them minors, under control.

The women had been brought in to Spain from Nigeria by bus, truck and boat after being promised legal work, but were instead frightened into prostitution after the cultists told them that black magic would send them mad.

All the money earned by the women was kept by members of the ring.

They were only allowed to leave if they paid off a debt of around 50,000 euros.

Another trial in the Netherlands, where eleven people have been accused of using voodoo curses to force Nigerian girls into prostitution will take place later this year.