A 14-year-old girl was allegedly sold by her parents to a stranger for £4,000 and five bottles of whiskey. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime following an alleged deal between the teenager’s parents and another couple, who intended to marry their son to the underage girl.

The shocking crime came to light when Spanish police noticed the young girl begging outside a local supermarket in western Catalonia. Local authorities claim that the girl’s parents agreed to sell her to the man, receiving €5,000 (£4,418), five bottles of whiskey and food from a couple in Lleida, Catalonia, in return.

According to The Olive Press, the Guardia Civil stated that the young teenage girl “remained under the control of the purchasing family for the purpose of consummating the forced marriage”. They added that the young girl was also prohibited from attending school and was compelled to spend her days outside begging for money, which she had to give back to the family.

The 14-year-old was first discovered by police outside a supermarket in Les Borges Blanques, Western Catalonia. Investigators believe the minor was “sold” under a Romani cultural practice, which holds no legal standing in Spain.

The teenager’s parents, aged 35, the couple who allegedly “bought” her, aged 40 and 42, and their 20-year-old son, who is said to have married the girl, were all arrested. Three of those detained are suspected of human trafficking and have been ordered not to contact the girl.

The individuals have since been released from prison, pending further investigation, as reported by CatalanNews. A source has reportedly claimed that the teenager has chosen to return to her family and does not consider herself a victim of the crime.