Romanian police smash Italian prostitution ring

Four men and one woman -- aged between 22 and 32 -- brought young Romanian women to Italy where they forced them into prostitution.

Romanian authorities have smashed a prostitution ring operating in Italy, police announced on Tuesday.

Four men and one woman -- aged between 22 and 32 -- brought young Romanian women to Italy where they forced them into prostitution, said a spokesman for the police in southeastern Buzau county.

Three of the traffickers have been arrested and police were still searching for the two others.

The ring had been operating since 2008.

Romanian investigators refused to say how many women fell victim to the activities of the traffickers, who reportedly made about 200,000 euros (292,900 dollars) thanks to these women.

The investigation was carried out jointly by Romanian and Italian authorities.