The twenty-seven foreign nationals who were detained on Friday evening after police raided a bar at Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara have been placed in the custody of the Ministry of Social Protection, says Crime Chief Paul Williams.
Williams yesterday told Stabroek News that the operation was led by members of a task force which consisted of ranks of the Police Force, the Immigration Department and officers from the Social Protection Ministry.
At present, Williams said the detained women are currently being kept in a safe house.
Asked if investigators were able to determine whether the women were trafficked, Williams said that they are stilling investigating.
The Crime Chief noted that statements were taken from the women and during the course of today they will be analyzing the statements to determine if any criminal offences were committed.
Police spokesman Jairam Ramlakhan, in a press release on Saturday said ranks visited Bikers Bar, which is located at Lot 22 Covent Garden after acting on information that a strip club was in operation. A source told this newspaper that the strip club has been in operation for about a month.
Ranks attached to ‘A’ Division and Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, responded and conducted a search of the premises between 9.50 pm and 11.55 pm on Friday.
The women who were found in the building were detained along with the owner/operator who hails from Nutmeg Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
“A case of liquor has been seized and lodged as there is no licence to operate any business whatsoever on the premises,” Ramlakhan noted in the press statement.
