genderberg.com - Freedom for Thai sex slave women

May 3 2005

THAI women found working in a Sutton brothel as part of an illegal sex slavery ring have been spared a life of "utter depravity".

Police who raided the brothel, which was less than a mile from the town centre, uncovered information about a sophisticated prostitution gang which illegally brings girls from Asia into the UK to be used as sex slaves.

They then force them into prostitution, keeping them prisoner.

The active brothel, the first of its kind found in Sutton, was discovered following complaints from residents.

Sergeant Tony Rogers, of Sutton Police, who led the operation, said: "The girls are complete victims and were desperate to be sent home. "They had been fooled into thinking a better life awaited them - instead they were sold into sex slavery."

The police operation took place on Friday, April 22, at about 8pm. Officers from Sutton central and west Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) took the lead.

They found one young woman working as a prostitute and one "maid", both from Thailand, in the property.

Two male customers were also caught during the raid, but later released without charge.

More than Ł1,000 cash was also seized. Sergeant Rogers said: "There was no doubt it was a working brothel. There were various items associated with prostitution and even a menu of services."

Both women were found to be illegal immigrants and they were deported back home within two days, at their request.

Amazingly, the following day the brothel was back up-and-running. The gang worked a number of teams from the flat, and the Saturday shift were not aware of Friday's events.

A second police raid uncovered a third Thai prostitute and another "maid". The prostitute was arrested on immigration charges and the maid was cautioned for being involved in the management of a brothel.

Following the second raid, the flat was sealed and posters put up in the area warning would-be customers and the gang that police were aware of the brothel. They would not reveal its location.

Sergeant Rogers said: "I am confident it will never be used as a brothel again."

Sutton Police said the information gleaned from the raids had provided good intelligence on other gang members.

CO14, the Metropolitan Police clubs and vice unit, has become involved in the case.

Sergeant Rogers said: "We hope CO14's expertise will help to uncover similar brothels across the region. This gang is clearly organised and sophisticated."

He added: "The girls were lured by the promise of earning lots of money working as masseuses and escort girls."

He said the women had been stripped of their passports and any documentation, and were threatened that they would end up in prison if they went to the police.

Sgt Rogers said: "We are pleased that the antisocial element of the brothel has been eliminated.

"But, obviously, we are delighted that these poor young women have been saved from a life of utter depravity."

Origionally published icSurreyOnline