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 other 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."
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.
"What we have is issues to brainwashing within those girls by the gangs that bring them here," said Det Con Andy Preece.
"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."
We seem to live in a very cruel world, ruled by anything but love and respect for one another.
Birgit and Roger
Reviewed by Crystal Silver Angel (Reader)
Reviewed on May 11, 2006
Goood morning Peter,
I see this all over the world and I just interceded for the precious, beloved United Kingdom. When I think of refuges fleeing all over the world and stay in their shadows of their darkness for evil, bondages in their mind, body and souls of dysyfnction and hopelessness, and then they spread more problems world wide I am sad, yet it's another challenge to keep the blood of the Lamb all over us. It is yet another world project for me to rebuke the saton's shadows...To have freedom of mind, body and soul IS A WAY OF LIVING in the light of The Lamb, Peter. Freedom is our birth right, our human dignity. This is why this world is not our home because the real salvation and freedom lay within upon our real home, but we can do our part to keep light here.I leave you with the great thinkers, the great quotes.. Precious, have a shining great day..This is a world of compensation; and he who would be no slave must consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it. Abraham Lincoln~~~~
Love for others and respect for their rights and dignity, no matter who or what they are: ultimately these are all we need. So long as we practise these in our daily lives, then no matter if we are learned or unlearned, whether we believe in Buddha or God, or follow some other religion or none at all, as long as we have compassion for others and conduct ourselves with restraint out of a sense of responsibility, there is no doubt we will be happy’ - Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama..There are many facets to leading a happy life. It begins by understanding the true and legitimate sources of happiness. The Art of Happiness is based on a few basic premises:
1. The purpose of life is happiness.
2. Happiness is determined more by the state of one’s mind than by one’s external conditions, circumstances, or events—at least once one’s basic survival needs are met.
3. Happiness can be achieved through the systematic training of our hearts and minds, through reshaping our attitudes and outlook.
4. The key to happiness is in our own hands ..According to the Dalai Lama, the purpose of
our existence is to seek happiness.
His Holiness Dahli Lama
((( Love And Intercession, Dove )))
Birgit and Roger
I see this all over the world and I just interceded for the precious, beloved United Kingdom. When I think of refuges fleeing all over the world and stay in their shadows of their darkness for evil, bondages in their mind, body and souls of dysyfnction and hopelessness, and then they spread more problems world wide I am sad, yet it's another challenge to keep the blood of the Lamb all over us. It is yet another world project for me to rebuke the saton's shadows...To have freedom of mind, body and soul IS A WAY OF LIVING in the light of The Lamb, Peter. Freedom is our birth right, our human dignity. This is why this world is not our home because the real salvation and freedom lay within upon our real home, but we can do our part to keep light here.I leave you with the great thinkers, the great quotes.. Precious, have a shining great day..This is a world of compensation; and he who would be no slave must consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it. Abraham Lincoln~~~~
Love for others and respect for their rights and dignity, no matter who or what they are: ultimately these are all we need. So long as we practise these in our daily lives, then no matter if we are learned or unlearned, whether we believe in Buddha or God, or follow some other religion or none at all, as long as we have compassion for others and conduct ourselves with restraint out of a sense of responsibility, there is no doubt we will be happy’ - Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama..There are many facets to leading a happy life. It begins by understanding the true and legitimate sources of happiness. The Art of Happiness is based on a few basic premises:
1. The purpose of life is happiness.
2. Happiness is determined more by the state of one’s mind than by one’s external conditions, circumstances, or events—at least once one’s basic survival needs are met.
3. Happiness can be achieved through the systematic training of our hearts and minds, through reshaping our attitudes and outlook.
4. The key to happiness is in our own hands ..According to the Dalai Lama, the purpose of
our existence is to seek happiness.
His Holiness Dahli Lama
((( Love And Intercession, Dove )))
thanks for the informative write
love and peace
God Bless
Michelle!
Hey Next week this time I will be "Speeeking THA inglish very deliciously o w e r d a r e.......lol!!!
Love Tinka :)