Guatemalan officials conducted a significant operation on Friday, raiding a facility associated with an extremist ultra-orthodox Jewish group known as Lev Tahor. This led to the protective custody of over 160 minors and 40 women amid allegations of abuse within the community.

Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez reported that the operation was executed with the collaboration of the National Civil Police and military personnel, taking place approximately 55 miles (90 kilometers) southeast of Guatemala City. He emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguarding children, stating that their protection is a top priority.

In an official announcement on the social media platform X, Guatemala’s Attorney General’s Office revealed disturbing findings, including suspected bone remains of a child. The office highlighted that a complaint lodged in November outlined serious allegations such as forced pregnancies, abuse of minors, and rape within the sect’s operations.

The Lev Tahor group has a history of legal challenges across different countries. In 2022, Mexican authorities apprehended a leader of the sect close to the Guatemalan border and facilitated the exit of several women and children from their enclave. Additionally, in 2021, two leaders of the sect faced convictions in New York for crimes related to kidnapping and child sexual exploitation. They were accused of abducting two children from their mother to facilitate the continued exploitation of a 14-year-old girl in an illicit relationship with an adult.

This controversial sect reportedly has members across several countries, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and Israel, further complicating the ongoing scrutiny and legal issues surrounding their activities.