Seven Days
Dubai, Dec 5: A “war” has been declared on prostitution and the human traffickers that force women into the trade in Dubai, the emirate's head of police has announced. Following the largest coordinated police raids ever witnessed in the city, police said yesterday that they had arrested 247 people involved in prostitution and closed 22 brothels. Among those arrested were 170 prostitutes, 12 pimps and 65 customers.
Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Bin Tamim, head of Dubai Police, said: “We are now declaring war against human traffickers. We will be tough and we will enforce law and order. Any woman who has been forced by human traffickers into this trade can call us. “Do not be afraid - we will investigate and do what is necessary,” he added.
“Anyone who is involved in this city in prostitution, if you think you are safe, think again. We are watching you and we will get you.” Police regularly arrest prostitutes and raid brothels, but this was the first time so many had been targeted in one major operation, it was confirmed.
Khalfan added that police would attempt to freeze the bank accounts of anyone convicted of running prostitute rings and making money from the illegal trade inside the UAE. The police chief said 22 teams of officers, with the help of the Interior Ministry, made a series of raids on villas and flats across the city on Saturday, following extensive surveillance. The premises raided were all linked and all part of an organised crime syndicate coordinated from outside of the UAE. The majority of the prostitutes were from China with the customers from various different countries, police said.
Those arrested have been detained while investigations continue. Many have already been referred to the Public Prosecution and are due to appear in court shortly.
Earlier this year UAE Attorney General Eassam Al-Humaidan said the country would continue to take a strong stand against human traffickers and that anyone involved in the trade would be jailed for at least five years. He added that anybody found guilty of forming a gang specifically involved in human trafficking would be sentenced to life in jail.
Last year 4,300 prostitutes were deported from the UAE.