Brothels raided in cross-border investigation into sex trade

THE raids began early yesterday morning. Nine brothels in the Republic, along with a number of premises in the North were raided as part of a cross-border investigation into the smuggling of women from Brazil, Nigeria and Namibia who were being used as prostitutes.

Bob Lauder, regional director of the North’s Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), said the arrests sent out a stark warning to criminals involved in the sex trade.

“We will find you and we will stop you,” he said.