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By Nakinskie Robinson
The crackdown on the underground illicit sex trade is intensifying following a major disruption in what is believed to be a prostitution ring at a residential property along North Avenue in St. Andrew.
Police confirmed that the illegal activities were being carried out under the guise of massage parlor.
Five women have been charged for breaches of the Public Health Act in connection with the raid.
During the targeted raid on Tuesday, the police discovered that along with the spa services being offered at the property, transactional sex acts were also being conducted during customer-client engagement.
The women were found to be 19 to 31 years old.
Detective Inspector Shamal Wisdom, of the police Specialised Operations unit, told Radio Jamaica News that six women were initially taken into custody.
"One of the females has since been released without any criminal charges as investigations have revealed that she was hired in the capacity of a receptionist and she was totally unaware of the services that are being offered at the premises," he disclosed.
Footage and images obtained by Radio Jamaica News revealed that scores of used condoms were found partially buried inside a wall.
A bag filled with wipes and sealed condoms was also seized during the raid.
Upon further investigations, the police uncovered that there was no up-to-date legal documentation granting permission to conduct business at the location, but an expired beauty therapist licence belonging to one of the women was later identified.
"The owner, whilst she had a licence, it expired in 2022 and the other females that were found at the premises, none of them [is] trained in offering massage services and none of them has been licensed to operate as a beauty therapist."
The expired licence has been linked to another property at a different location.
The law stipulates that people who perform the duties of a beauty therapist, as defined by law, must have a licence.
Detective Inspector Wisdom said the police are hoping to lay further charges against the owner, specifically for the offence of living off the earnings of prostitution.
He admitted that while "it is clear that a brothel is being operated at the location", more evidence must be unearthed.
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