BuffHello Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 7 May 2006, 23:00 GMT 00:00 UK Raids uncover 'sex trafficking' Woman is led away after raid on a brothel A woman is led away after one of the raids in Operation Pentameter Seven suspected victims of sex trafficking have been found by police in a series of raids on brothels across Kent in which 28 people were arrested. Many of those held were suspected illegal immigrants and have been served with extradition papers. The two-week Operation Pentameter, the largest carried out in Kent against sex trafficking, has revealed the scale of the county's vice industry. Officers now believe at least £1.5m is spent a week in its brothels. It is thought that almost 1,500 women are brought into the UK every year and forced into prostitution to pay off the traffickers. BBC South East Today was given exclusive access to Operation Pentameter and joined Kent police on the raids on 28 brothels. 28 people arrested Two Britons - one suspected of human trafficking and one of managing a brothel - both given police bail Five Thais - served with extradition papers Two Malaysians - served with extradition papers Two Hong Kong nationals - released One Ukranian - detained pending interview One Kosovan - detained pending interview One Brazilian - served with extradition papers 14 Chinese - 10 released; four detained pending interview About 2,000 hours of police time went into the investigation, which discovered brothels in every kind of building. Some were in high street shops, while others were in upmarket flats and suburban houses. Police believe there are about 300 brothels open in Kent at any one time - promoted through newspaper advertisements. Each one is believed to make about £5,000 a week. Interpreters went with police to one flat raided in the Medway towns, where a Chinese man and woman were found. The woman, who is 44 with a teenage son back home, is thought to be a victim of sex trafficking. "We believe she came over from China about a week ago and was dropped somewhere by boat with four other girls," said Det Con Debbie Hunt. "She thought she was coming over to work in massage and has found herself working in the sex trade." Woman in brothel Seven suspected victims of sex trafficking were found in the raids The woman was taken to a special rape suite to be interviewed while the man was arrested on suspicion of being involved with trafficking women for prostitution. Other raids uncovered no evidence of trafficking but in several cases prostitutes were thought to be in the country illegally and were handed over to immigration officers. Police said the raids were not intended to close down the brothels, which was beyond the scope of the operation. But they believe the seven trafficking victims they found are only a fraction of those affected. Det Con Andy Preece said there was a suggestion of "brainwashing" among the women by the trafficking gangs. He said: "They are told they cannot trust the police authorities - that there is corruption within our police - but they are also put under extreme pressure by threats and intimidation to their families back home." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorwolf Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 (i) This would never happen here as there are no brothels in Thailand, right? (ii) Perhaps time for the administrators of this board to make room for a new thread, named something like "Buffhello uses the 'Ctrl-C' 'Ctrl-V' keys"? Just a thought... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_66_UK Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 BuffHello I am guessing you posted this here because..........you now need to start another relationship? :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evel_Penivel Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 The name, Operation Pentameter, reminded me of an old limerick: "Twas a young poet named McNameter Who had a tool of trmemdnous diamter. But it wasn't his size that gave the girls a surprise, Twas his rhythm - iambic pentameter." EP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khwaimaisabai Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 BuffHello said:About 2,000 hours of police time went into the investigation ..... Hi guys, Pity they don't spend the time on dealing with crime. I am very sceptical about these stories of "forced into prostitution". Although if Kosovans are involved, I guess that makes it more believeable. Khwai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayjann Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 oh dear,Lusty seems to have lost 90% of his income......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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