UPDATE Illegal brothels in Reid shut down
On Wednesday, 5 September 2018, ACT Policing arrested two Chinese nationals, a 45-year-old woman and a 50-year-old woman, in relation to this incident.
The women were charged with operating a brothel other than in a prescribed location (Prostitution Act 1992 (ACT)) and were bailed to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday, 12 October 2018.
Police are urging anyone who may have any information that could assist police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.
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ACT Policing with the assistance of Australian Border Force (ABF) executed multiple search warrants at an apartment complex in Reid yesterday (Tuesday, 4 September 2018).
As a result of the warrants three illegal brothels were located and shut down and four non-citizens were detained by ABF officers. The one man and three women were all Thai nationals and were working in breach of their visa conditions or without a valid visa.
All three of the brothels were allegedly staffed by non-registered sex workers in contravention of the Sex Worker Act 1992 (ACT).
Police are examining material seized with a view to charging those responsible for the establishment and running of the brothels.
Officer in Charge of City Police Station, Detective Station Sergeant Adrian Craft said the search warrants were a result of information received from the public.
“Clear and credible information provided by a member of the public resulted in yesterday’s operation.”
“To have illegal brothels operating in apartment complexes can be terribly disruptive to residents. Police will continue to target illegal brothels in the CBD of Canberra to improve the environment for those living in these complexes,” Detective Station Sergeant Craft said.
Acting Superintendent Kari Ellis from ABF ACT Operational Command said the ABF will continue to support ACT Policing in operations such as this to protect the community and vulnerable foreign workers.
“We are focused on disrupting businesses employing and potentially exploiting illegal foreign workers in our community and yesterday’s result shows that these illegitimate businesses and their owners will be exposed,” Acting Superintendent Ellis said.
Cracking down on businesses employing foreign workers is an operational priority for the ABF, including through compliance activity and its work under Taskforce Cadena.
Police are urging anyone who may have any information that could assist police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.
Media enquiries
Police Media — (02) 6264 9460, act-police-media@afp.gov.au