A sophisticated sex trafficking operation was brought down on Tuesday with the arrest of several dozen people across the U.S. Apparently, a large number of Thai women were being brought into the States, given fraudulent visas, and forced to work as prostitutes to pay off debts for their travel and living expenses that were close to impossible to pay back.
According to Special Agent Alex Khu, who is in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a recent arrest of the organization’s boss was made in Belgium, which will surely affect the entire organization.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Khu said, “We feel pretty confident that, based on the number of important-position folks we are taking down, we’ll really hurt this organization. It will take down this ring.”
His office had begun investigating in this case since 2014.
Seventeen people have been caught and charged on various counts, including conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit forced labor, conspiracy to engage in money laundering, and conspiracy to commit visa fraud.
The women all came from families with poor backgrounds and were promised a better life. However, instead, they found themselves in a waking nightmare of having to work 12 hours a day for 6 or7 days each week, selling their body for money they’ll never see.
They weren’t allowed any freedom, and had their families threatened if they made any attempt to escape.
The women unknowingly entered into bondage debt “contracts” with the traffickers in Thailand. They immediately owed the organization $40,000 to $60,000 each in exchange for their fake visaa and travel to the U.S.
However, the money they made from prostitution was taken, and what was left was used to pay for food, rent, and personal items, making it impossible for them to repay their debt.
The women would always be escorted by someone from place to place, or would be sent to a prostitution house, or “spa”, to work there, according to the AP.
“They don’t control the money. They don’t control the customers or the johns. They can’t refuse a john. They don’t have freedom of movement. They can’t get out.” said Khu.
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