Dutch police have arrested four men suspected of drugging women from their immediate circle and then raping them, with the victims understood to be the men's partners, police said on Thursday.
The abuse was filmed, and the footage distributed, Rotterdam police said.
A further four men are suspected of involvement in the abuse or the distribution of the images. Further arrests were not ruled out.
Computers, mobile phones and USB sticks were seized during house searches. Weapons and sedatives were also found. The operations took place last week but were only made public now due to the ongoing investigation, police said.
Number of victims unclear
Police have not yet given any indication of the possible number of victims. The footage is currently being analysed and the identities of the women established. Police gave no details about the timing of the crimes.
Such a crime had serious psychological consequences for the women, police said. "The news that your partner or an acquaintance may have drugged you and perhaps even raped you or intended to can turn your life completely upside down."
The suspects are aged between 21 and 51 and come from various parts of the Netherlands, police said. What exactly they are alleged to have done is still being investigated, police added.
Tips from England and Germany
Police uncovered the case following tip-offs from colleagues in Germany and the United Kingdom. Those colleagues had discovered closed groups on social media.
